Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy, Eli Sharabi are the three male Israeli hostages to be released in latest round of exchanges under ceasefire deal.
Hamas has released the names of three Israeli men it said it would released this Saturday, in what will be the fifth round of exchanges under the ongoing ceasefire deal.
Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy are expected to be released on the 491st day of their captivity, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed.
Scores of Palestinian prisoners are due to be released in return.
Ben Ami, 56, was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife Raz Ben Ami was also taken captive and was freed during a ceasefire in November, 2023.
Sharabi, age 52, was also taken from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife and daughters were murdered on October 7, according to the kibbutz. His brother Yossi Sharabi, who was taken captive, died in Gaza, where his body remains, according to the Israeli military.
Or Levy, age 34, was attending the Nova music festival on October 7 when he was kidnapped. His wife Eynav was murdered in the attack.
Since the ceasefire went into effect on January 19, Hamas and its allies have released 18 hostages held in Gaza – including five Thai citizens released outside the parameters of the agreement. In exchange, the Israeli government has released 583 Palestinians held in detention – some serving life sentences for serious offenses – but also a significant number of children held without public charge or trial.
Friday’s announcement came nearly three hours after it was expected, after Hamas on Friday accused the Israeli government of “continued procrastination and hesitation in implementing the humanitarian protocol of the agreement.”
In a statement, group said that “the pledges stipulated in the agreement have not been implemented in the specified manner, which exacerbates the suffering” of Palestinians in Gaza.
The United Nations says that “challenges continue in bringing into Gaza some critical humanitarian supplies,” though noted that prices have declined and the distribution of humanitarian supplies within Gaza has become easier, following the withdrawal of the Israeli military from urban areas.
Hamas said Friday that it expects Israel on Saturday to release 183 Palestinians held in prison in exchange for the three Israelis.
Eighteen of the prisoners are serving life sentences, 54 have lesser sentences, and 111 were detained in the Gaza Strip after October 7, 2023, the group said in a statement. The charges against the 111 were not clear.
Israel is yet to confirm the numbers and names of Palestinian prisoners who are expected to be released on Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying ...
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence...
A Russian strike on a farm warehouse in Pryluky, north-central Ukraine, has killed at least three people, local police said. Meanwhile, EU foreign ...
Maritime trackers received new reports of an attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), adding to concerns about energy supplies after Saudi Arabia shut down a vital oil pipeline on Saturday.
U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Russian strike on a farm warehouse in Pryluky, north-central Ukraine, has killed at least three people, local police said. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said an attack on a train near the Polish border was an attempt to intimidate Ukraine's allies.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
Türkiye has completed production of its first lunar spacecraft, with the probe now undergoing tests ahead of a planned launch in early 2027.
Kazakhstan and South Korea have agreed to upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, as the two countries discuss nearly $19 billion in projects spanning energy, critical minerals and infrastructure.
The opening day of the 24th Arab Media Summit in Dubai highlighted how geopolitical, economic and technological upheaval is reshaping not only the region, but the media industry itself.
Georgia's move to comply with U.S. sanctions on Iranian airlines has sparked a diplomatic exchange with Tehran, as Tbilisi faces growing scrutiny in Washington over its ties with Iran, Russia and China.
Pakistan’s courts have temporarily blocked the expulsion of Afghan medical students, allowing dozens to continue their studies as Islamabad presses ahead with its wider Afghan repatriation drive amid tensions with Kabul.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment