Hamas names 3 Israeli prisoners to be released under Gaza deal, Israel confirms
Palestinian group Hamas fighters escort Israeli-French hostage Ofer Kalderon on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Khan Yunis on February 1, 2025, as part of fourth hostage-prisoner exchange. (AFP Photo)
Hamas has announced the names of three Israeli prisoners it will release as part of the fifth round of the ongoing Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap agreement with Israel.
In a statement released by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, it was stated that Eliyahu Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami, a dual German-Israeli citizen, will be released on Friday.
The statement said the list of prisoners to be released was delivered to the mediators. The Israeli side confirmed to Israeli media outlet Yedioth Ahronot that the list delivered was acceptable.
Israeli media had earlier reported that Hamas delayed handing over the names of the prisoners due to allegations that Israel was violating its obligations under the cease-fire and prisoner swap agreement.
The cease-fire and prisoner swap agreement between Hamas and Israel went into effect on January 19.
In the first four rounds of the prisoner swap, 583 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, 13 Israeli nationals, and five Thai nationals held in Gaza were released.
According to the cease-fire agreement, which will be carried out in three phases, more than 1,900 Palestinians and 33 Israelis are expected to be released during the first phase, which will span 42 days.
Israel confirms received list of hostages
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that it had received a list of hostages to be released from Gaza on Saturday after Hamas published the names of the three men set to be freed.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an Israeli campaign group, also published the names of the prisoners, confirming them as Eli Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami.
The agreement marks another stage in the tense negotiations between the two sides, which have seen several rounds of releases as part of the broader cease-fire efforts in the region.
Israel to release 183 Palestinian prisoners
In a related development, Israel is set to free 183 Palestinian prisoners from jails on Saturday in the fifth hostage-prisoner swap agreed with Hamas, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club advocacy group.
“Among those to be released are 18 serving life sentences, 54 with lengthy sentences, and 111 from Gaza who were arrested after October 7,” Amani Sarahneh, said spokeswoman for the Palestinian NGO, according to news agency AFP.
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