After 491 days in captivity, following the most recent release as part of the hostage deal, three more hostages held by Hamas were freed this morning (Saturday): Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy.
The three are now back home, after crossing the border into Israel together with IDF forces, where they will receive medical care and reunite with their families.
At the transfer site in Gaza, Hamas terrorists have gathered alongside a stage they set up adorned with propaganda banners. Emaciated and frail, Or, Ohad, and Eli were forced by Hamas to speak in Hebrew during a cynical "ceremony" at their release.
Meanwhile, the Israel Prison Service is gearing up for the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners, including 18 sentenced to life terms, who will be transferred to the West Bank and Gaza.
Eli Sharabi
Eli Sharabi, a 52-year-old resident of Kibbutz Be'eri, was married to Lianne, who had immigrated to Israel from Britain. The couple had two daughters, Noa, 16, and Yahel, 13. On October 7, all three were murdered in the kibbutz, while Eli was kidnapped to Gaza. His brother, Yossi, was also abducted. It was later determined that Yossi had been killed.
Ohad Ben Ami
Ohad Ben Ami, 56, was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Be'eri along with his wife, Raz, who was released in a previous hostage deal in November 2023. On the morning of October 7, he took shelter with his wife in their safe room. When they received warnings about the infiltration of terrorists, he stepped out to close the shutters of their home and was shot. In footage recorded by the terrorists that day, Ben Ami is seen wearing boxer shorts and a t-shirt as he is led into Gaza.
Or Levy
Or Levy, a 34-year-old resident of Givatayim, met his wife, Einav, 14 years ago, and the two married five years ago. On October 7, they attended the music festival in Re'im after leaving their son with Einav's parents. When the rocket sirens began, they fled and took shelter in a small reinforced structure near Re'im, later dubbed "the death shelter."
Their long-awaited return home marks a bittersweet moment as Israel continues efforts to bring back those still held captive.
