Three Israeli hostages freed after 16 months in Hamas captivity return to Israel

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced that three hostages held by Palestinian radicals in the Gaza Strip have been safely returned to Israel. 

The hostages, Or Levy, Ohad Ben-Ami, and Eliyahu Sharabi, were transferred to Israeli territory by IDF forces, the military said in a statement, per Caliber.Az.

The hostages, who had been in captivity for 491 days — almost 16 months — are now on their way to an initial reception centre in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with their families. The IDF confirmed that 76 other hostages remain in Gaza.

Ohad Ben-Ami, 56, was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, 2023, alongside his wife, Raz, who was later released in November 2023. Eliyahu Sharabi, 53, was also abducted from Be'eri that day, along with his brother Yossi, who was killed in Gaza. Yossi's body is still held by radicals, while Eliyahu’s wife and two daughters were killed in their home. Or Levy, 34, was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and his wife was also killed.

In response to footage showing the hostages in poor health during their handover to the Red Cross in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that Israel would not ignore the “horrifying” images. The government remains committed to the return of all hostages and missing persons.

As part of the deal to secure the hostages' return, Israel is set to release 183 Palestinian prisoners on February 8, with the Israeli Prisons Authority already beginning the process.

By Tamilla Hasanova