Hamas announces the identities of the next group of hostages to be freed.

Hamas has revealed the names of three additional hostages who are set to be released on Saturday, as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange with Israel. The hostages, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy, were captured during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the ongoing conflict.

Since the ceasefire began on January 19, 2025, a total of 18 hostages have been released, and in return, Israel has freed 383 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has confirmed that an additional 183 hostages are scheduled for release on Saturday. The overall agreement calls for the release of 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners by the end of the first phase of the ceasefire. However, Israel has stated that eight of the 33 hostages have been confirmed dead.

Eli Sharabi, aged 52, was captured from Kibbutz Beeri. His brother, Yossi, was killed during the attack, and Sharabi’s wife, Lianne, and two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were also murdered by the attackers. Sharabi’s brother-in-law, Stephen Brisley, expressed his relief at the prospect of Eli’s return, calling it a “crumb of comfort” in light of the tragic loss of his loved ones.

Ohad Ben Ami, a 56-year-old accountant, was also taken from Kibbutz Beeri, alongside his wife, Raz, who was released by Hamas. According to the Hostages Families Forum, Ben Ami is known for his excellent judgment and sense of humor. His release is a significant moment for his family, who had been hoping for his safe return.

Or Levy, a 34-year-old computer programmer from Rishon LeZion, was abducted after fleeing the Nova festival with his wife, Eynav. Unfortunately, Eynav was later found dead in a bomb shelter where the couple had tried to hide from the attackers. Levy’s family is anxiously awaiting his return, which will offer them a glimmer of hope amid their devastating loss.

Israeli officials have confirmed that they received the list of hostages set for release on Saturday, and the families of the hostages have been informed. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which advocates for the return of all hostages, welcomed the news of the expected releases and reiterated their commitment to ensuring that all hostages, both living and deceased, are brought home. Their statement emphasized that their efforts would continue until every individual is accounted for.

Alongside the positive news of the hostages’ release, Hamas has expressed frustration with Israel’s handling of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Despite an agreement reached as part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas claims that Israel has failed to meet its commitment to allow the full amount of aid into Gaza. According to Hamas officials, only 8,500 aid trucks have entered Gaza, well below the 12,000 that were initially promised. They also accused Israel of delaying the delivery of essential medical supplies and shelter materials.

This issue has been a point of contention, as Israel’s humanitarian efforts have been heavily scrutinized. The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, has reported that around 10,000 trucks carrying food, medicine, and tents have entered Gaza, describing it as a “massive surge” of aid, despite the ongoing challenges.

In an emotional appeal, Yarden Bibas, an Israeli hostage who was released on Saturday, directly addressed Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging him to bring back his wife and children, who remain in captivity. In November 2023, Hamas claimed that Bibas’s wife, Shiri, and two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, were killed in an Israeli airstrike. However, Israel has not confirmed these reports, and the fate of Bibas’s family remains uncertain.

In Gaza, the funeral of senior Hamas commander Marwan Issa took place, attended by hundreds of mourners, including armed Hamas fighters. Issa is believed to have been a key figure behind the October 7 attack on Israel. Though Israel had previously reported Issa’s death in an airstrike in March 2024, Hamas only recently confirmed his death.

Meanwhile, a new proposal by former US President Donald Trump regarding Gaza has sparked significant controversy. Trump’s plan suggests that the United States should take control of Gaza, resettle its Palestinian population, and turn the area into a luxury tourist destination, dubbed the “Riviera of the Middle East.” The proposal has been widely condemned by Arab nations and the United Nations, further complicating an already tense situation in the region.