The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared on February 8, 2025, that Hamas had freed three hostages who were headed to Israel for medical evaluation. Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy, and Eli Sharabi are the hostages who have been freed. This transaction is a component of a deal whereby Israel releases Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Hamas releasing Israeli hostages.
Release and Exchange of Hostages Israel is expected to free 183 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal. Israel freed some people who were serving life sentences for their roles in deadly attacks.
Three hostages were freed: 52-year-old Eli Sharabi, 34-year-old Or Levy, and 56-year-old Ohad Ben Ami.
Eli Sharabi was kidnapped from Kibbutz Beeri; his brother Yossi, who was also taken prisoner, has been pronounced dead; his wife and daughters were killed in the October 7 attack. The same community produced Ohad Ben Ami, whose wife was freed in November 2023. Or Levy, whose wife was killed in the attack, was kidnapped from a bomb shelter close to the Nova festival in Rishon LeZion.
After being detained in Gaza, the hostages looked pale and thin.
A ceasefire agreement that went into effect on January 19 includes the hostage release. In the first phase, 33 hostages are anticipated to be released by Hamas in return forThere are roughly 1,900 Palestinian detainees. Israel has so far freed 383 prisoners, while Hamas has freed 18 hostages.
Before the release, Hamas charged that Israel had broken the ceasefire agreement by failing to provide more humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum reaffirmed their commitment to bringing all hostages home and praised the expected release.
