Hamas hands over 3 Israeli hostages in 5th prisoner exchange under cease-fire deal

Hamas released three Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday as part of the fifth prisoner exchange under the ongoing cease-fire agreement with Israel.

In response, Israel has begun the process of releasing 183 Palestinian detainees, according to Israeli media reports.

The exchange is part of the first phase of the cease-fire agreement, which took effect on Jan. 19 and aims to secure the release of hostages while temporarily halting the fighting in Gaza.

3 Israeli hostages transferred to Red Cross

The hostages—Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami—were handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Reports indicate that one of the freed captives was wearing an Israeli military uniform, while the other two were in brown clothing.

The Israeli military confirmed the transfer, stating that the three hostages were now in the custody of the Israeli army and the domestic security agency (ISA).

“Three returning hostages have just been transferred to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

Israel begins releasing 183 Palestinian detainees

Israeli media, including Yediot Ahronot, reported that Israel’s prison authorities have started processing the release of 183 Palestinian detainees. According to the reports:

• 18 prisoners are serving life sentences
• 54 detainees have long-term sentences
• 111 were arrested from Gaza after Oct. 7, 2023

Detainees have reportedly been placed on buses ahead of their transfer.

Since the cease-fire began, Hamas has released 18 hostages, while Israel has freed approximately 600 Palestinian detainees from its prisons.

The cease-fire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, is designed to facilitate the release of 33 hostages over 42 days.

Background: Cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement

The cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel took effect on Jan. 19 at 12:15 p.m. local time.

Under the agreement, three phases are planned, with the first phase expected to secure the release of over 1,900 Palestinian detainees and 33 Israeli hostages.

In the first four rounds of exchanges, Israel released 583 Palestinian detainees, while Hamas freed 13 Israeli and 5 Thai hostages.

Netanyahu to oversee hostage talks in Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently in Washington, is monitoring the latest phase of the hostage exchange. His office confirmed that an Israeli delegation is preparing to travel to Doha for further negotiations on the second phase of the cease-fire deal.

The second phase aims to facilitate further hostage releases and establish conditions for a potential long-term cease-fire.

Former hostage calls for further releases

Amid ongoing hostage negotiations, Yarden Bibas, who was freed last week, urged Netanyahu to take additional steps to secure the return of his wife and children.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu, I’m now addressing you with my own words… bring my family back, bring my friends back, bring everyone home,” Bibas said.

Hamas has claimed that his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, were killed, but Israeli officials have not confirmed their deaths.

Ongoing conflict and casualties

The war gained a new level after Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, taking 251 hostages. The Israeli military estimates that 73 hostages remain in Gaza, including 34 whom it believes are dead.

In response to the attack, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in at least 48,181, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Israel also faces legal challenges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its military operations.