Hamas has released three Israeli captives on Saturday as part of a new prisoner swap, in exchange for 183 Palestinians held by Israel.
This marks the fifth exchange within the ongoing Gaza ceasefire. Among those set for release are over 100 Palestinians detained during the 15-month conflict in Gaza, as well as 18 serving life sentences and 54 facing long prison terms.
The exchange will see 42 Palestinians released to the occupied West Bank and seven exiled from Palestinian territories. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the identities of the three Israeli captives to be released: Eli Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami. Netanyahu, currently in Washington, will monitor the release from there.
Despite tensions over a controversial proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump to forcibly clear Gaza of Palestinians, Israeli campaign groups like the Hostage and Missing Families Forum have called for continued adherence to the ceasefire. So far, four swaps have taken place, releasing 13 Israeli captives, five Thai workers, and 583 Palestinians, many held without charges.
The ceasefire, which has been in place since January 19 and mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, aims to secure further hostages’ releases and a more permanent resolution to the conflict, which has resulted in over 61,000 Palestinian deaths.