TEL AVIV, Israel — Three Israeli men held hostage by Hamas for 491 days have been freed and are now back in Israeli territory, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Ohad Ben Ami, 56, Eli Sharabi, 52, and Or Levy, 34, were released as part of the fifth round of prisoner exchanges under the ongoing ceasefire agreement.
The men, who appeared visibly thin and gaunt, were paraded on stage by Hamas fighters before being transferred to Red Cross officials in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
The hostages were then transported to southern Israel, where they underwent medical assessments and were reunited with their families.
Hostages Appear Weak and Frail
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described the men’s appearance as “disturbing”, saying their frail condition underscored the urgency of securing the return of all remaining captives.
Speaking to reporters, Steve Brisley, the brother-in-law of Eli Sharabi, said he felt “the whole pendulum of emotions – joy and relief through to heartache and everything in between.”
Brisley noted that Sharabi looked extremely thin, with sunken cheeks and a vacant expression.
“It’s the eyes that told the tale for me,” he said.
“Eli has a very smiley face, and it’s the light that’s gone from his eyes that struck home for me. The look of confusion on his face was an upsetting watch.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the government is closely monitoring the hostages’ physical and mental recovery.
“We will not go into the agenda about the shocking sights we saw today,” a government statement read. “The security agencies will accompany them and their families in the coming days.”
The Hostages’ Backgrounds
Ben Ami and Sharabi were abducted from their homes in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led attack on Israel.
Sharabi’s wife and two teenage daughters were murdered in the attack, while his brother Yossi Sharabi was also taken hostage but later died in Gaza. His body has not been recovered.
Levy was taken hostage from the Nova music festival, where his wife, Eynav, was killed.
Prisoner Exchange Details
Under the Qatar-brokered ceasefire agreement, Israel is expected to release 183 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the three Israeli hostages.
Hamas announced that among those being freed:
- 18 prisoners are serving life sentences
- 54 have lesser sentences
- 111 were detained in Gaza after October 7, 2023, though their charges remain unclear
Israel has yet to confirm the full list of Palestinian prisoners to be released.
Scenes of Celebration and Grief
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where families of hostages have gathered for weekly demonstrations, cheers erupted as live footage of the three freed men appeared on large screens.
However, relief quickly turned to concern and sadness as many remarked on the hostages’ frail condition.
“Seeing our kibbutz members like this is emotional torture,” one resident of Kibbutz Be’eri said.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called the images “heartbreaking”, writing on X (formerly Twitter):
“The urgent need to bring back all kidnapped hostages is clear. There is no time to waste. Ohad, Eli, and Or – how good that you are on your way home.”
Next Steps in Ceasefire Talks
Israeli negotiators are expected to travel to Qatar in the coming days to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire agreement, which could lead to the release of additional hostages and efforts toward a more permanent cessation of hostilities.
While the release of Ben Ami, Sharabi, and Levy marks another step in hostage negotiations, Israeli officials stress that dozens of captives remain in Gaza and efforts to secure their return continue.
