Hamas releases three Israeli hostages in fifth Gaza ceasefire swap

Hamas militants released three Israeli hostages—Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy—who had been held for 16 months in a highly publicized event in Deir al-Balah, coinciding with Israel's release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement. The hostages appeared emaciated and were made to give public statements before being handed over to the Red Cross, sparking outrage among Israelis and condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described the scenes as shocking. This marked the fifth prisoner exchange since the ceasefire began on January 19, with 18 hostages already released alongside over 550 Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire aims to secure the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 prisoners over its initial 42-day phase. Emotional reactions erupted in Israel as the condition of the hostages raised concerns about their treatment during captivity. The ongoing negotiations are part of international efforts led by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. to de-escalate violence in the region.