Hamas set to release three Israeli hostages as Gaza ceasefire holds

The Palestinian militant organization Hamas plans to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday in return for Palestinian detainees and prisoners as part of the latest phase of a ceasefire agreement intended to pave the way for concluding the 15-month conflict in Gaza.

Hamas announced that Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi, who were taken hostage from Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas-led cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, along with Or Levy, who was kidnapped that day from the Nova music festival, will be released on Saturday.

In return, Israel will free 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, such as 18 who are serving life sentences, 54 with lengthy sentences, and 111 held in Gaza during the conflict, according to the Hamas media office.

This swap is the most recent in a series of exchanges that have returned a total of 13 Israeli hostages, five Thai workers taken during the Hamas assault, and 583 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Despite setbacks, a 42-day ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for prisoners facilitated by U.S. support and mediation from Egypt and Qatar has remained in place since it began nearly three weeks ago.

However, concerns that the agreement could fall apart before all the hostages are released have increased following U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected suggestion for Palestinians to be relocated from Gaza and for the territory to be transferred to the United States to be turned into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”