In Gaza, the fifth round of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement is taking place. Hamas is releasing 3 Israeli male captives. Eli Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami are being handed over to the Red Cross. In return, 183 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons will be set free. Among the released Palestinians, 18 are individuals serving life sentences. Hamas, as part of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza, has released three Israeli male captives in its fifth round.
The captives were handed over to the Red Cross in a ceremony. Israeli media reported that the process of releasing 183 Palestinian prisoners from Ofer and Negev prisons has commenced, with them being loaded onto buses. Hamas’ armed wing, the Kassam Brigades, announced yesterday that the captives to be released are Eli Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami.
It is known that one of the captives, Ohad Ben Ami, holds dual citizenship in Germany and Israel. According to the Yedioth Ahronot newspaper, Israel confirmed yesterday that the list handed over to mediators was acceptable. Reports in the Israeli media suggested that Hamas delayed handing over the names of the captives to Israel due to alleged violations of the obligations of the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
Following the handover of the 3 Israeli males in Gaza to the Red Cross teams, the release of 183 Palestinians from Israeli prisons is expected. According to a statement from Hamas’ Prisoners Media Office, among the Palestinians to be released, 18 are serving life sentences, 54 are serving severe prison terms, and 111 are individuals detained in the Gaza Strip after October 7, 2023.