10:17 am - February 25, 2025
The release of three hostages—Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy—after 15 and a half months of captivity under Hamas has brought a mixture of relief and profound sadness to Israel. The moment they stepped out of the Hamas vehicle, their gaunt appearance and frail condition were unmistakable. Reports indicate that they had lost up to 30% of their body weight, and their medical state was alarming. Compared to previous hostage releases during this phase of the ceasefire, their deterioration was strikingly evident. The punishing conditions of their captivity were etched on their bodies, a grim reminder of the hardships they endured. Yet, what followed their release was a deeply troubling display of propaganda, as Hamas paraded them on stage and subjected them to interviews in front of a crowd. This act, intended to bolster Hamas’s narrative, only added to the pain and outrage felt by their families and the broader Israeli public.
For Eli Sharabi, the moment of freedom was bittersweet. In his interview, he expressed his longing to reunite with his wife, Lianne, and their two daughters. What he did not know—and what Hamas chose not to reveal—was that his entire family had been tragically killed on October 7, 2023. This devastating loss was compounded by the fact that his brother, Yossi, had also been taken hostage and had died in Gaza the previous year. The revelation of these truths has left Eli and his loved ones in a state of shock and grief, a pain that echoes across the nation. Meanwhile, Or Levy, another hostage, was similarly unaware that his wife had been killed in the Nova music festival attack. These heart-wrenching stories have intensified the emotional toll on Israel, spurring a renewed sense of urgency to bring all remaining hostages home as quickly as possible.
The Israeli government’s reaction to these developments has been swift and fiery. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the release conditions and vowed a strong response, framing Hamas’s actions as a “crime against humanity.” The IDF’s point person for hostage affairs accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement, a charge that carries significant weight given the fragile state of the truce. However, any military retaliation by Israel risks undermining the ceasefire and jeopardizing the release of additional hostages. This delicate balance has sparked heated debates within Israel, with many acknowledging that the immediate priority must be the safe return of all captives, regardless of the political fallout. As the Hostages’ Families Forum and Israel’s president have emphasized, the focus must remain on freeing the remaining prisoners and reuniting them with their families.
The plight of the Palestinian prisoners released alongside the Israeli hostages adds another layer of complexity to this already fraught situation. Many of these prisoners returned home in painfully thin condition, bearing visible signs of physical abuse during their detention. One prisoner was so frail that he had to be carried off the Red Cross bus by a medic from the Palestinian Red Crescent. Their accounts of beatings and mistreatment have further inflamed tensions, as both sides accuse each other of violating humanitarian standards. Perhaps most poignantly, some of the released Palestinian prisoners recounted being forced to watch a video depicting the destruction of Gaza before they were freed—a grim reminder of the psychological toll of captivity and the ongoing propaganda wars.
The emotional and political landscape shifted dramatically in the wake of these releases. While the return of any hostages or prisoners is a step toward resolution, the manner in which it was conducted—an overt propaganda exercise—has only deepened divisions. For Israel, the revelation of the hostages’ dire condition and the tragic fates of their families has reignited anger and calls for action. Yet, the families of the hostages remain steadfast in their plea for caution, knowing that any escalation could endanger the lives of those still held captive. This tension—between the desire for justice and the need for restraint—hangs heavy over the nation.
As the situation continues to unfold, the path forward remains uncertain. The ceasefire, already fragile, now faces even greater challenges as both sides grapple with the aftermath of these events. The release of hostages and prisoners has brought some measure of relief, but it has also exposed the raw wounds of this conflict. For Israel, the focus remains on securing the freedom of all captives, while also addressing the deep-seated anger and grief that permeate society. For Palestinians, the return of their loved ones, though often under harrowing circumstances, offers a glimmer of hope amid ongoing struggles. Ultimately, the VI. See next page for continuation.