Israel confirms that he received 3 hostages released by Hamas

Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip (AP)-Hamas-Led activists released in the Gaunt, Frail-Looking Israeli Hostages and Israel Freed Nearly 200 Palestinian Prisoners Saturday in the latest Exchange of a Ceasefire that That Has Paused 16 Months of War in Gaza.

The state of the hostages and the scenes of Hamas forcing them to speak during a transfer ceremony aroused indignation in Israel and could increase the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prolong the ceasefire beyond of its current six -week phase.

Netanyahu pointed out that he would resume war, even if it meant leaving dozens of hostages in captivity of Hamas.

Before a crowd of hundreds, armed activists led Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad ben Ami, 56 years old; And where Levy, 34, on a scene to make statements before putting them back to the Red Cross. The three civilians were among the 250 people kidnapped during the attack led by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war.

The joy of some Israelis looking at their release turned into shock and tears when they saw their state emaciated. Men appeared in a lower state than the 18 hostages previously released.

Later on Saturday, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, some also seemingly emaciated and weak. The Red Crescent said seven had been taken to hospitals.

It was the fifth exchange since the start of the ceasefire on January 19.

The Red Cross said that it was “increasingly concerned about the conditions surrounding the release operations” and urged all the parties to ensure that the versions are worthy and private.

Many Palestinians released during the ceasefire appeared emaciated and pale, and allegedly allegedly In Israeli police custody.

Regarding sparks in the state of the hostages

The state of the hostages and the declarations under the constraint – a departure of the previous versions – aroused indignation in Israel. A representative of the Israeli Ministry of Health, Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, noted a “severe malnutrition” and a “significant decrease” of body weight.

“We will not remain silent on this subject. A message has been sent to mediators and measures will be taken accordingly, “said Gal Hirsch, Netanyahu coordinator for hostages.

The Hamas military wing, Qassam’s brigades, said it had made efforts to preserve the life of the hostages “despite the (Israeli) bombardment”.

The current phase of the ceasefire does not seem to be assigned by American president Donald Trump breathtaking To transfer the Palestinian population of Gaza, Welcomed by Israel but Rejected vehemently by the Palestinians and most of the international community.

But that could complicate discussions The second more difficult phaseWhen Hamas must release dozens more hostages in return for a lasting ceasefire. Hamas can be reluctant to release more captives – its main negotiation currency – if it believes that the United States and Israel are serious about depopulating the territory, which, according to defense groups, violates international law.

The first phase of the ceasefire provides for the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, the return of the Palestinians to the north of Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated territory. Israel says Hamas has confirmed that eight of the 33 hostages died.

Twenty -one hostages – including five Thais not counted in the 33 – and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners were released. More than 70 hostages remain in Gaza but Israel thinks that 34 died.

Who was released

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Sharabi and Ben Friend were captured by Kibbutz Beeri, one of the agricultural communities The hardest part by the attack on Hamas while Levy was removed from The Nova Music Festival.

Sharabi wife and two teenage girls were killed in the attack. His brother Yossi was removed and died in captivity. Levy’s wife was killed in the attack.

Ben Friend, father of three, was kidnapped with his wife, Raz, who was released during a week-long ceasefire in November 2023 which saw more than 100 released hostages.

“It’s over, it’s over,” said Levy’s brother Michael when the two kissed a military base. Ben Friend’s daughter Ella told Israel Channel 12 that “it took me a while to realize that it was my father”.

Released Palestinian prisoners include 18 perpetuity sentences for deadly attacks against the Israelis, 54 serving long -term sentences and 111 Palestinians from Gaza detained after the attack on October 7 but did not judge for any crime. All are men, aged 20 to 61.

Practically all Palestinians have a Friend, parent or knowledge which was imprisoned.

Senior activists among the liberated prisoners

Seven of the released prisoners were transferred to Egypt. Others were transferred to the Guard of the Palestinians in the West Bank, where supporters of applause welcomed them.

Some had been detained on offenses ranging from bombs attacks to participation in militant organizations.

They include Iyad Abu Shakhdam, 49, locked up for almost 21 years for his involvement in Hamas attacks in overcrowded civil zones that killed dozens of Israelis during the Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s. This included a bombardment suicide bus in 2004 in the southern city of Beersheba of Israel which killed 16 people.

Another is Jamal Al-Tawil, an eminent Hamas politician in occupied West Bank. The soldiers reported his last arrest in 2021 for alleged efforts to anchor Hamas management in the West Bank. He was transferred to administrative detention, a renewable period of six months during which the suspects are held without charges or trials.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinians want the three territories for their future state.

The next phase of the ceasefire is uncertain

We do not know if Israel and Hamas began to negotiate the ceasefire second phase. The war could resume in early March if no agreement is concluded.

Israel says he is committed to destroying Hamas, which Reaffirmed his rule on Gaza In the hours following the ceasefire. Hamas says that it will not publish the remaining hostages endless to the war and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

During the October 7 attack, around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, were killed. More than 47,000 Palestinians were killed in the war of reprisals in Israel, more than half of them, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, which does not say how many activists.

The Israeli army says it killed more than 17,000 fighters, without providing evidence. He blamed the civilian deaths of Hamas for having operated in residential areas.

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Goldenberg reported to Tel Aviv, Israel. The writer Associated Press Isabel Debre in Ramallah, in the West Bank, contributed to this report.

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Follow the coverage of the war from https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war