Three Israelis Released from Captivity, Israel to Free 183 Palestinians

The Hamas group has handed over three hostages to Israel, including a man who was abducted from the Nova Festival on October 7th, reports NewsBox.

Hamas released three Israeli hostages as part of an exchange with Israel. According to The Times of Israel, among those freed are 56-year-old Ohad Ben Ami, 52-year-old Eli Sharabi, and 34-year-old Or Levi.

Or Levi was kidnapped on October 7th during an attack on the Nova music festival, where his wife Einav was killed. Eli Sharabi was captured in Kibbutz Be'eri — both his wife and daughter were killed in the incident, and his brother Yossi, who was also taken hostage, later died. Ohad Ben Ami and his wife Raz were also taken hostage from the same kibbutz. Raz Ben Ami was freed earlier in November 2023 during a temporary ceasefire.

This marks the fifth instance of hostages being handed over since the ceasefire regime began on January 19th. The last exchange occurred on February 1st. Since then, 18 Israeli captives and over 550 Palestinian prisoners have been freed. Under the current agreement, Israel is to release 183 Palestinians, among them 18 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment.