Hamas on Friday announced the names of three Israeli hostages it will release on Saturday, including two men whose families were brutally murdered by the terror organization on Oct. 7, 2023.
Ohad Ben Ami, 56, Eli Sharabi, 52, and Or Levy, 34, are set to be released Saturday, though it was not immediately clear what time, The Times of Israel reported.
Both Levy and Sharabi lost their wives in the surprise attack — which also claimed the lives of Sharabi’s daughters.
Or Levy, who was abducted and brought to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, is on the list of hostages to be released. APLevy was kidnapped from the Supernova rave near Kibbutz Re’im, while his wife, Einav, was killed. Their 3-year-old son, Almog, has been staying with his grandparents ever since.
Following the news of her son’s release, Levy’s mother Ola told Israeli media: “My heart is about to leap out of my chest.”
“I’m so emotional, mainly for Or’s son Almog. Almog knows his dad’s being released tomorrow. He said ‘Dad’s coming back’ and jumped up and down on the bed with joy.”
Levy’s brother, Michael, also took to Facebook to express his family’s excitement over the news, writing, “Mogi, we found your dad.”
Meanwhile, after Sharabi and his brother Yossi were taken captive, his wife and daughters were murdered by Hamas terrorists in their Kibbutz Be’eri home’s safe room. Yossi has since been confirmed dead with Hamas holding his body.
“Today more than ever, we want to show him he was never alone,” Sharabi’s family said in a statement. “We want him to know he’s returning to a people who stood by him, in Israel and around the world, that did not forget him or give up, that fought for him and that will be there for him now in his journey back to life.”
Ohad Ben Ami, 56, will be released on Saturday. AP
After Sharabi and his brother Yossi were taken captive, his wife and daughters were murdered by Hamas terrorists. APBen Ami, who was kidnapped from Be’eri alongside his wife, Raz, who was released as part of the week-long ceasefire deal in November 2023. She and their daughters have since been advocating for his release.
His daughter, Ell Ben Ami, shared an Instagram video showing her and her overjoyed sisters exclaiming “Dad’s coming home!”
His other daughter, Natalie, also shared a video of herself tearing up immediately after hearing the news, writing, “Finally our hearts will be whole!”
In exchange for the three hostages, Israel will release 183 Palestinian prisoners: 18 serving life sentences, 54 serving long sentences and 111 who were detained in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas’ announcement Friday came hours after the 4 p.m. deadline as Hamas accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire accord agreed upon last month by delaying the entry of trucks carrying food and humanitarian supplies.
The group also accused Israel of holding back tents and mobile homes needed to provide Gazans shelter.
“This demonstrates clear manipulation of relief and shelter priorities,” Hamas said in a statement.
COGAT, the Israeli military agency overseeing aid to Gaza denied the accusation, warning Israel would “not tolerate violations” from Hamas.
