What we know
- Three Israeli hostages, Eli Sharabi, 52, Or Levy, 34, and Ohad Ben Ami, 56, have arrived at their respective hospitals after they were freed by Hamas earlier today and taken to Israel.
- Fighters from the militant group had earlier handed them over to the Red Cross in Gaza's central city of Deir al-Balah after fighters paraded them on a stage and interviewed them.
- In exchange, Israel freed a group of Palestinian prisoners from the Ofer military prison in the occupied West Bank. A spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said 183 would be released in total, in a statement yesterday.
- Hamas also accused Israel of multiple breaches of their ceasefire agreement by delaying the entry of hundreds trucks carrying food and other humanitarian supplies for people returning to their bombed-out homes.
- So far, 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been freed in the first, 42-day phase of the agreement.
Three hostages lost significant weight during captivity
Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, the head of the medical division in the Israeli Health Ministry, reported that the three hostages who returned to Israel today are malnourished and have lost significant weight during their time in captivity.
Ohad Ben Ami arrives at Ichilov Hospital
Returning hostage Ohad Ben Ami has arrived at Ichilov Hospital, where he was greeted by his wife and daughters in an emotional reunion.
Eli Sharabi arrives at Sheba Hospital
Returning hostage Eli Sharabi arrived at Sheba Hospital moments ago draped in an Israeli flag. Or Levy arrived at the same facility earlier today.
Israel claims attack on facility in southern Syria
The Israeli military said today it has attacked a "weapons storage facility" belonging to Hamas in Deir Ali in southern Syria.
"The weapons stored inside the facility were intended to be used on attacks on IDF troops," the IDF said, accusing Hamas of using "Syrian soil for their terrorist activities."
Returning hostage Levy arrives at Sheba hospital
Returning hostage Or Levy has arrived at Sheba Hospital in Israel after he was transported there by an Israeli Air Force helicopter, where he has been reunited with his family ahead of medical treatment.
Ohad Ben-Ami and Eliyahu Sharabi are also on their way to hospital, traveling in a separate helicopter. Sharabi is due to arrive at Sheba Hospital as well, while Ben-Ami is expected at Ichilov Hospital.
Red Cross raises concerns over release conditions
The International Committee of the Red Cross said today that it is "increasingly concerned about the conditions surrounding release operations," after facilitating the fifth hostage and prisoner exchange of the ceasefire.
Three hostages were transferred out of Gaza to Israel, and a total of 183 Palestinian detainees were released from Israeli custody today.
"We strongly urge all parties, including the mediators, to take responsibility to ensure that future releases are dignified and private," it said.
Earlier today, each of the three hostages were interviewed on stage before their release, something that did not happen during previous releases.
Both Israel and Hamas have also shared concerns over the welfare of the hostages and prisoners released today.
Opposition leader slams Netanyahu for delayed action on hostages
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his response to today's hostage release and failure to act sooner.
Netanyahu vowed to “take appropriate measures” after today’s release, pointing to “the serious condition of the three hostages.”
"Didn't you know before," Lapid wrote on X, saying that Netanyahu had been aware for months that they were in poor condition.
"What does it help them now that you “ordered to take action”? And if there are actions, why didn’t you order them earlier?" he added.
Returning hostages reunited with families
The Israeli military has released pictures of the moment the hostages were reunited with their families.
Ohad Ben-Ami hugged his wife Raz, who was also taken captive during Hamas' terror attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. She was released alongside 100 others as part of the weeklong ceasefire deal hostage deal in November 2023.
Eli Sharabi was reunited with his mother and sister after 16 months in captivity.
Red Cross buses carrying Palestinian prisoners arrive in Gaza
Some of the 183 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived in Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis in buses belonging to the Red Cross.
Leaning out of the window, one made victory signs with his fingers and blew kisses to the waiting crowds.
Ben-Ami and Sharabi on way to hospital, says IDF
Released hostages Ohad Ben-Ami and Eliyahu Sharabi are on their way to hospital in a helicopter alongside members of their family, the Israeli military has said.
Earlier, Or Levy, the third hostage freed today by Hamas, departed in a separate helicopter on his way to hospital.