Hamas Names Three Israeli Hostages to Be Freed as Ceasefire Holds Firm

Hamas has named three Israeli hostages to be freed as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement, in a new sign that the deal was advancing, even as US and Israeli officials continued discussions about the post-war removal of people from Gaza.

Three hostages captured when Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023 will be released on Saturday, the fifth round of exchanges of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

An unnamed Israeli official identified the hostages as Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the negotiations are still going on.

While the fragile ceasefire agreement seems to be on course, there is every reason to hope that further releases will take place with de-escalation in the region. Yet, debates about the future of Gaza's population dominate discussions between US and Israeli leaders, reflecting the complexity of the post-war landscape.

This development is the latest to take place under much tension and international scrutiny, as efforts to stabilize the region and try to mitigate the humanitarian crisis continue.

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