Hamas has released another three Israeli hostages in what is the fifth swap of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
The three hostages have been named and pictured, with the expectation 183 Palestinian prisoners will be freed.
According to Hamas and Israel, the hostages are Eli Sharabi, 52, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Or Levy, 34.
All were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that sparked the war after some 1,200 people were killed.
It will be the fifth swap of hostages for prisoners since the ceasefire began on January 19. Eighteen hostages and more than 550 Palestinian prisoners have already been freed in that time.
Observers were concerned US President Donald Trump’s stunning proposal to transfer the Palestinian population out of Gaza could have imperiled the fragile deal.
The ceasefire paused the 15-month war in the Gaza Strip where Israel’s retaliatory attack has killed more than 47,000 people, over half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Emotional images have emerged this morning showing close relatives of the freed hostages reacting with tears and joy as the horror of the ordeal of the hostages came to an end.
The family of released prisoner Eli Sharabi, whose wife and two daughters were killed during the October 7 Hamas atrocity, hugged one another and waved the Israeli flag as they watched Mr Sharabi walk free.
The joyful scene was quickly replaced with tension, worry and crying as the relatives took in Mr Sharabi’s appearance who looked gaunt and frail after 16 months in captivity.
Mr Mr Sharabi was led to the vehicles of the Red Cross, they again jumped and shouted and sang a Jewish prayer meant to note special occasions.
Kathy Barby, a relative, said: “He doesn’t look good. It is mixed feelings. We are happy he is on his feet. He is alive.”
In a central Tel Aviv square, dubbed “Hostages Square” because it has become a centre for protests from hostage families, supporters, carrying posters of other hostages yet to be freed from captivity, chanted: “Bring them home!”
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