Israeli Hostages Hail Hamas After Release in Gaza Ceasefire Deal

(MENAFN) Three Israeli captives who were released under a Gaza ceasefire deal expressed their gratitude toward the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Saturday following their freedom. The three hostages—Ohad Ben Ami, Eliyahu Sharabi, and Or Levy—were freed in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah as part of a swap for 183 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. This release was part of a broader agreement aimed at securing the freedom of more hostages from both sides.

Ben Ami, 56, spoke during the handover ceremony, urging the families of other Israeli captives to rally and demand that the Israeli government move forward with the next stages of the deal. He emphasized that the only way to bring all the hostages home safely was to complete the exchange process. Ben Ami’s message highlighted the importance of continuing negotiations in order to reunite families and secure the release of those still held in Gaza.

While expressing his hope for peace, Ben Ami also called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to end the ongoing war. He criticized the government’s military approach, noting that despite attempts to free them through force, their release only came about through the negotiated deal. Ben Ami’s remarks were a clear plea for both sides to consider diplomacy and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

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