Hamas Frees 3 Israeli Hostages Amid Ceasefire

Illustration of the Hamas Group in the Gaza Strip. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Saturday released three Israeli hostages under a ceasefire agreement and a prisoner swap with Israel.

The three prisoners; Or Levy, Eliyahu Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami, were handed over by Hamas fighters to representatives of the Red Cross in the central city of Deir al-Balah.

One of the released hostages appeared to be wearing an Israeli tent military uniform, while the other two were wearing brown clothes, according to an Anadolu reporter.

Representatives of the Red Cross signed documents to receive hostages and took them by vehicle to be handed over to Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli army confirmed that they received the three hostages who were released from the Red Cross and transferred them out of Gaza to military facilities near the border for initial medical examination.

Prior to the surrender, the prisoners appeared to be on stage, surrounded by Hamas fighters and holding a release certificate.

The banner on the stage reads: "We are the float, we are the war's next day," which seems to show the world that they are still in control of the Gaza Strip, and intend to remain in power.

"The extraordinary view of the handover process and the message of resistance about the next day confirms that our people and their resistance will remain superior, and the following day is an extraordinary day for Palestine, getting closer to efforts to restore freedom and self-determination," Hamas said as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, February 9.

"Our Palestinian people affirm their rejection of all Trump's relocation and occupation (US President Donald) projects, and their strong determination to thwart them."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the release of the three hostages but said he would not accept what he called a "rough depiction" seen in their surrender.

"The surprising images we saw today will not pass without a response," his office said in a statement, without providing further explanation.

The Israeli army will release 183 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of the three hostages. A total of 16 Israeli hostages and five Thai workers have so far been released under a Gaza ceasefire agreement, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Many Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli detention appear to be in poor health conditions, and many have suffered significant weight loss.

On Saturday, Euro-Mediterania human rights observers based in Geneva accused Israeli prison authorities of not providing medical care to Palestinian prisoners during the imprisoned brand.

The Gaza ceasefire deal took effect in Gaza on January 19, halting the Israeli genocide war, which has killed more than 47,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and destroyed the enclave.

The International Criminal Court in November issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel is also facing genocide cases at the Criminal Court over its war in the enclave.