Hamas releases 3 frail-looking Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners under Gaza ceasefire – The Associated Press
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The three male civilians were freed Saturday in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel as part of a ceasefire in Gaza that has paused the war in the Gaza Strip. Their release prompted cheers from those watching in Tel Aviv.
Buses carrying the released Palestinian prisoners arrived at European Hospital in Khan Younis to cheering crowds. Many Palestinians released from Israeli jails during the ceasefire appeared gaunt and pale, and have alleged abuses and mistreatment in Israeli custody.
Hamas-led militants handed them over to the Red Cross on Saturday and Israel freed dozens of Palestinian prisoners as part of an agreement that paused the war in the Gaza Strip. Israel confirmed that its forces received three Israeli hostages, all civilian men. They will be taken for medical treatment and will be reunited with their relatives after 16 months in captivity.
The hostages’ emaciated condition and scenes of Hamas forcing them to speak in a staged release ceremony sparked outrage in Israel and could increase the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend the ceasefire beyond its current six-week phase.
Some of the 183 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived in Khan Younis on Saturday in the latest exchange for Israeli hostages held in Gaza, part of a ceasefire that has paused the war but whose future is uncertain. (AP video by Abdel Kareem Hana)
Israeli captives, from left to the right, Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy, who have been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, are escorted by Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Israeli captive Eli Sharabi, who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, is escorted by Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Friends and relatives of Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi, who were taken from kibbutz Beeri on Oct.7, 2023 attack, react as they watch the live broadcast of their release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at the Kibbutz Beeri, Israel, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Freed Palestinian prisoner Ammar al-Daghma, 42, is greeted by a crowd as he arrives in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, souther Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch as Hamas fighters deploy ahead of the hand over to the Red Cross of three Israeli hostages as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian prisoners are greeted as they exit a Red Cross bus after being released from Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Freed Palestinian prisoners arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, souther Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Freed Palestinian prisoner Hatem Quaider, 39, is greeted by a crowd as he arrives in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, souther Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Israeli captive, Eli Sharabi, who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, stands on a stage escorted by Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Family of Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi, whose wife and two daughters were killed on Oct. 7 attack, react as they watch the live broadcast of him being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
People holding posters with photos of Israelis hostages Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami, react at the so-called “hostages square” as they watch their release live on a television screen in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
People holding posters with photos of Israelis hostages Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami, react at the so-called “hostages square” as they watch their release live on a television screen in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israelis Shoshi and Dov Peleg wait in the Hostages square for the release of the Israelis kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza, as they begin to gather in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israeli captive Eli
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