In a prisoner exchange facilitated by the ongoing ceasefire agreement, Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami were freed in Deir al-Balah, located in the central Gaza Strip, after enduring 491 days in captivity following their abduction during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The men were transported in a Hamas vehicle to the handover point, where they were met by representatives of the Red Cross.
Images of the released hostages reveal their deteriorated physical condition, appearing thin and exhausted. The men were compelled to participate in a Hamas-orchestrated ceremony, a practice observed in previous hostage releases. Israeli leaders expressed concern over their visible suffering.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the exploitation of the hostages, characterizing it as a "cynical and cruel spectacle by vile murderers." The Hostages and Missing Families forum emphasized the urgency of securing the release of the remaining captives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement acknowledging the "horrific scenes" and pledged to take appropriate action to bring home the remaining hostages, referencing a verse from Psalms promising rescue.
The parents of Itay Chen, an American citizen held hostage by Hamas, expressed their distress at the released images, drawing parallels to the suffering witnessed during the Holocaust. They urged both Prime Minister Netanyahu and former President Trump to prioritize the release of all remaining hostages, including the six American citizens still in captivity.
This release marks the fifth exchange since the ceasefire began on January 19, bringing the total number of freed hostages to eighteen and over 550 Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire temporarily halted the 15-month conflict in Gaza triggered by Hamas's initial attack and Israel's subsequent military response.
