On Saturday the exchange of hostages and prisoners in the fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas continued.
Three Israeli hostages were released by Hamas and are now receiving medical care in Israel after being handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza. The three hostages—Eli Sharabi, 52, Or Levy, 34, and Ohad Ben Ami, 56—were transferred from Gaza’s central city of Deir al-Balah before crossing into Israeli custody.
In return, Israel has freed 183 Palestinian prisoners from the Ofer military prison in the occupied West Bank, with some later transported to Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis. The Israeli Prison Service confirmed that the prisoners had been released from various facilities across the country. In Ramallah, a bus carrying 42 freed Palestinian detainees was met with large crowds celebrating their return.
Seven of the Palestinian prisoners released by Israel have been admitted to hospitals due to their deteriorating health conditions, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Many former detainees have reported experiencing mistreatment during their time in Israeli prisons. Among those released was Eyad Abu Shkaidem, who had been serving 18 life sentences for organizing suicide attacks in response to Israel’s 2004 assassination of Hamas leaders.
This latest exchange is part of a phased ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which temporarily halted the ongoing war in Gaza. The first phase of the deal, spanning 42 days, involves the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. In later stages, Hamas is expected to release male hostages, including soldiers, in return for additional prisoner exchanges and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The deal also includes humanitarian provisions, such as allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza. However, Hamas has accused Israel of violating the agreement by delaying the entry of aid trucks carrying essential supplies.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has approved a $6.75 billion arms sale to Israel, including bombs, guidance kits, and Hellfire missiles. The move comes after Donald Trump’s explosive statement this week that Palestinians in Gaza should be relocated, the U.S. should own the enclave, and it should be remade into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
As negotiations continue, the fragile ceasefire remains a crucial turning point in the ongoing conflict.
