Hostages Released After 491 Days in Captivity

Three Israeli hostages—Or Levy, Eli (Eliyahu) Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami—were released from Gaza on Saturday after spending a harrowing 491 days in captivity. They crossed into Israeli territory with visible signs of distress, appearing frail and emaciated, with reports indicating that they had lost up to 30% of their body weight during their ordeal.

The former hostages were initially brought to medical centers in Tel Aviv and Sheba for emergency care. Their conditions were described as serious, with their physical state reflecting the severe abuse they endured while in Hamas captivity. These hostages were released as part of a broader ceasefire arrangement, but the event was marred by disturbing images of their public display.

The ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) was involved in the handover process, with Red Cross vehicles arriving in Gaza to collect the hostages. However, despite their involvement, the release took place in a spectacle akin to previous ceremonies, with crowds of Gazans and armed Hamas members surrounding the scene. This public display raised concerns among various international bodies, including the Israeli government, regarding the treatment and safety of the hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his relief at the hostages' return but condemned the manner in which they were paraded. He stressed that the conditions under which they were held must not go unaddressed, and appropriate actions would be taken to hold Hamas accountable. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the government for not taking the hostages' conditions seriously, questioning the intelligence reports that warned of their deteriorating health.

The release of these hostages also underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with heavy international condemnation directed at Hamas for their treatment of civilian captives. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar went as far as to call Hamas's actions a "crime against humanity," highlighting the stark contrast between the well-fed appearances of Gaza residents and the emaciated state of Israeli hostages.

As part of the deal, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom were involved in terrorism-related offenses. However, the return of Levy, Sharabi, and Ben Ami marks only a fraction of the hostages still held in Gaza. The families of the released hostages, particularly Sharabi, are also grappling with the deep pain of loss, as Sharabi’s wife and daughters were murdered in the October 7 massacre.

The plight of the remaining hostages continues to draw attention, with organizations like the Hostages and Missing Families Forum calling for urgent action to secure their release. The Israeli government has vowed to continue efforts to bring all hostages home.