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Hamas challenges Netanyahu: ‘Total victory’ written on hostage release stage

UPDATE- The hostages are in the hands of the Red Cross who will escort them to the meeting with the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip

Red Cross already on site to collect the three hostages. A stage set up in Deir al-Balah with a message addressed to Netanyahu. Israel will release 183 Palestinian detainees in exchange

While the Red Cross delegation is already at the site of the release, Hamas has organised the release of the three Israeli hostages Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy in Deir al-Balah, in the centre of the Gaza Strip. This is the first time the faction has chosen this location for the handover of the prisoners.

On the stage set up for the event, a banner appears with a fist clutching the Palestinian flag and the Hebrew inscription ‘total victory’ above a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The phrase is a clear reference to the words spoken by Netanyahu himself, who declared that the war will continue until ‘total victory’ over Hamas.

The release of the three hostages is scheduled for 10am local time (9am in Italy), according to Israeli security sources. The transfer will be handled by Red Cross workers. Once out of Gaza, IDF troops will escort the hostages to a military base near Re’im, where they will undergo an initial medical check-up and will be able to re-embrace their families before being admitted to hospital.

The hostages’ stories

Eli Sharabi, 52 years old, was kidnapped on 7 October 2023 in kibbutz Be’eri, near the Gaza border, together with his brother Yossi, whose body is still in the hands of Hamas. During the attack, Eli’s wife and two daughters were killed in the security room of their home.

Or Levy, 34, was among the participants at the Supernova rave near the kibbutz in Reim when he was kidnapped. His wife, Einav, was killed during the attack and her body was found in the shelter where she had been hiding. Their child, Almong, has since been in the care of his grandparents.

Ohad Ben Ami, 56, had also been kidnapped in Be’eri. His wife, Raz Ben Ami, was released in November 2023 during an earlier truce.

In exchange for the three hostages, Israel will release 183 Palestinian detainees. The operation is part of the broader truce agreement, which envisages further exchanges and releases in the coming days.

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