Three Israeli hostages—Ohad Ben Ami (56), Eli Sharabi (52), and Or Levy (34)—will be released by Hamas on Saturday as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt and Qatar. In exchange, Israel will free 183 Palestinian prisoners, including 18 serving life sentences. This marks the fifth hostage-prisoner swap since the truce began, with 18 hostages and ~600 prisoners already released.
Behind the Deal
The 42-day ceasefire, active since January 19, requires Hamas to release 33 hostages total, while Israel frees hundreds more detainees. The deal has held despite recent turbulence, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and develop the enclave into a luxury destination—a plan rejected by Arab states as 'ethnic cleansing.'
What’s Next?
Negotiations for a second phase aim to secure the release of remaining hostages and withdraw Israeli troops from Gaza. Meanwhile, the conflict’s toll weighs heavy: Hamas’ October 7 attack killed 1,200 Israelis, while Gaza health authorities report over 47,000 Palestinian deaths since Israel’s counteroffensive.
As global leaders push for peace, many wonder: Can this truce pave the way for lasting stability?
