Palestinian militant group Hamas is set to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, marking the latest stage in a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the 15-month war in Gaza.
According to Hamas' media office, the hostages include Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi, who were taken from Kibbutz Be'eri during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, and Or Levy, who was abducted from the Nova music festival. In return, Israel will release 18 prisoners serving life sentences, 54 serving long sentences, and 111 detainees captured during the war in Gaza.
This exchange is part of a series of prisoner swaps that have so far resulted in the release of 13 Israeli hostages and five Thai workers, as well as 583 Palestinian detainees. The 42-day ceasefire, brokered with the backing of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, has remained in effect despite concerns over its stability.
However, fears of the deal collapsing have grown following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and turn the enclave into a tourist destination under U.S. control. The plan has been widely rejected by Arab states and Palestinian groups, who have condemned it as a form of ethnic cleansing.
Despite international criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Trump's intervention, and Israel’s defense minister has instructed the military to prepare for the voluntary departure of Palestinians from Gaza.
Under the existing agreement, 33 Israeli women, children, and elderly men are to be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Discussions on a second phase began this week, focusing on securing the release of the remaining hostages and negotiating a full Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza to facilitate a long-term ceasefire.
The war began after Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. Israel’s military response, including air and ground operations, has since killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and left much of the enclave in ruins.
With negotiations continuing, international mediators remain engaged in efforts to sustain the ceasefire and work toward a comprehensive resolution to the conflict. However, the fragile nature of the agreement and external political developments could still pose significant challenges to lasting peace in the region.