Israel decries hostage return amid grim conditions and calls for action
Three Israeli hostages, freed after 491 days in the hands of Hamas terrorists, are emaciated and significantly weakened. The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, emphasizes that the treatment of his compatriots by the Palestinians is a crime against humanity.
The three Israeli hostages, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levi, were released after 491 days of captivity by Hamas. President of Israel Isaac Herzog noted that their health condition is dire – they are emaciated, weakened, and suffering.
The hostages were released as part of the fifth round of a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. On Saturday, they were handed over to the Red Cross during a ceremony in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. During this event, they were forced to give propaganda speeches and pose with armed militants.
President Herzog commented that the hostages were "used in a cynical and cruel spectacle, organized by vile murderers." However, he emphasized that the consolation is the fact that they return alive and will soon reunite with their families.
Call for the release of remaining hamas hostages
The forum of families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas compared the release of Eli, Ohad, and Or to images of liberation at the end of World War II. The organization called for the release of all the hostages held in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, when Hamas attacked border areas with Israel.
Einaw Zangauker, the mother of one of the still-detained hostages, Matan Zangauker, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expedite a prisoner exchange deal. Zangauker emphasized that the hostages are "going through a Holocaust" and can't wait any longer.
Temporary ceasefire in the gaza strip
The exchange of hostages is part of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in effect from January 19 to early March. So far, Hamas has kidnapped 251 people, 73 of whom are still detained, and 34 people from this group are already deceased. By the end of the ceasefire, the release of an additional 17 Israeli hostages is planned.
The extension of the ceasefire is uncertain, and Prime Minister Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right groups that demand the continuation of the war and the removal of Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip. Einaw Zangauker called on Israelis to demonstrate for the extension of the truce and the release of all hostages.
