What happend on the day three Israeli hostages were released from Hamas?
Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy, and Eli Sharabi released after 491 days in captivity • Israel releases 183 prisoners in fifth wave
IDF soldier found in serious condition at base in southern Israel pronounced dead
An IDF soldier who was found in serious condition at a base in southern Israel on Friday was pronounced dead on Saturday, Israeli media reported.
Military police have opened an investigation into the incident.
Go to the full article >>Hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami freed from Hamas captivity in 'dire' condition
Hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami are set to be released on Saturday after spending 491 days in captivity.
Released hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami crossed the border into Israeli territory on Saturday and arrived at the initial reception point after they were transferred to Israeli forces by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
An initial medical examination reported to Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sheba Medical Center revealed that the former hostages were in serious condition. They appeared starved and may have lost some 30% of their overall weight.
Go to the full article >>Who are the Palestinian security prisoners being released for the three hostages?
Eighteen of these prisoners were supposed to be serving life sentences.
Israel will release 183 security prisoners, including several senior terrorist officials, on Saturday in exchange for hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami as part of the fifth wave of the ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.
Eighteen of these prisoners were supposed to be serving life sentences.
Go to the full article >>Release of Palestinian security prisoners from Israeli prisons begins - KAN
After three Israeli hostages were freed from Hamas captivity after nearly 500 days of imprisonment on Saturday, Israel began the release of Palestinian prisoners, Israeli state broadcaster KAN reported.
שחרור המחבלים מבתי הכלא בישראל החל | תיעוד משחרור חלקם ברמאללה@Roi_Yanovsky @ishayb2003
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 8, 2025
צילום: AP pic.twitter.com/pKMpAXgZy0
President Herzog on hostages' condition: 'This is what a crime against humanity looks like'
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the severe weight loss and serious conditions of released hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami is a "crime against humanity" in an X/Twitter post on Saturday.
This is what a crime against humanity looks like!
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) February 8, 2025
The whole world must look directly at Ohad, Or, and Eli—returning after 491 days of hell, starved, emaciated and pained—being exploited in a cynical and cruel spectacle by vile murderers. We take solace in the fact that they are…
"This is what a crime against humanity looks like! The whole world must look directly at Ohad, Or, and Eli—returning after 491 days of hell, starved, emaciated—being exploited in a cynical and cruel spectacle by vile murderers," Herzog wrote. "We take solace in the fact that they are being returned alive to the arms of their loved ones."
The president noted the imperative of completing the hostage deal, saying it is a "humanitarian, moral, and Jewish duty."
PMO: In light of the dire conditions of the ex-hostages, Israel to take appropriate action
Given the poor condition in which former Israeli hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami returned from Hamas captivity, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed 'appropriate action' to be taken, the Prime Minister's Office said on Saturday afternoon.
"In light of the dire condition of the three hostages and the repeated violations by the Hamas terrorist organization, Prime Minister Netanyahu has instructed not to overlook this and to take appropriate action," the PMO stated.
Three former hostages arrive at initial reception point in southern Israel
Former hostages Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami, and Eliyahu Sharabi arrived at the initial reception point in southern Israel, the IDF reported on Saturday afternoon.
"IDF representatives are accompanying their families waiting at the hospital and updating them with the latest available information," the military added.
PMO: Gov't embraces return of hostages, committed to returned those remaining
The Prime Minister's Office announced its pleasure over the return of hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami on Saturday morning, adding that it was committed to returning the hostages who still remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
"The Government of Israel embraces the three returnees. Their families have been updated by the responsible authorities that they are with our forces," the PMO stated. "The shocking images that we have seen today will not go unaddressed. The Government, together with all of the security officials, will accompany them and their families. The Government of Israel is committed to returning all of the hostages and the missing."
ICRC transfers released hostages to Israeli forces in Gaza
The Red Cross transferred released hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami to Israeli security forces in Gaza on Saturday, the IDF stated.
The Red Cross had previously retrieved the former hostages from Hamas.
The IDF is taking the hostages back to Israeli territory, where they will undergo immediate medical treatment.
Hostages forum: 'There is no time to waste for the hostages'
"The disturbing images from the release of Ohad, Eli, and Or serve as yet another stark and painful evidence that leaves no room for doubt - there is no time to waste for the hostages!" the Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated shortly after the three hostages were released. "We must get them all out, down to the very last hostage. Now!"
Israel at War: What you need to know
- Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
- Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Re'im music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities.
- 76 hostages remain in Gaza.
- 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says.
- The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30.
- The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4:00 a.m.
- Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire on January 17, 2025
- 735 terrorists will be released as part of the hostage deal