‘Look Like Holocaust Survivors’: Three Israeli Hostages Released After 490 Days in Hamas Captivity

Latest Developments

Three Israeli Hostages Free: Israel welcomed home three hostages on February 8 who had been held captive in Gaza by the Iran-backed Hamas terrorist organization following its mass atrocities in Israel on October 7, 2023. Or Levy, 34, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Eli Sharabi, 52, were freed by Hamas in the fifth round of releases since the 42-day ceasefire agreement went into effect last month.
Emaciated and Unable to Stand: During Hamas-choreographed release ceremonies, the three Israeli hostages appeared emaciated and disoriented, and needed to be held upright by Hamas terrorists. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said “the Israeli hostages look like Holocaust survivors and clearly appear to have suffered from starvation.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office vowed to take action over Hamas’s parading of the frail hostages, releasing a statement that said “the shocking images we saw today will not pass without response.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog declared: “This is what a crime against humanity looks like! The whole world must look directly at Ohad, Or, and Eli—returning after 491 days of hell, starved, emaciated and pained—being exploited in a cynical and cruel spectacle by vile murderers.”
183 Palestinian Prisoners Released in Exchange: Israel released 183 Palestinian convicted terrorists on February 8, 18 of whom were serving life sentences, in exchange for the Israeli hostages. 111 of the released prisoners were detained over the course of the war in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas atrocities, and seven of the prisoners will be deported upon their release.

FDD Expert Response

“Relief at seeing these hostages freed is overshadowed by anger and sorrow. Israel is forced to release Palestinian mass murderers, while its own hostages return to a nightmare. Eli Sharabi’s wife and daughters, and Or Levy’s wife, were brutally murdered on October 7. Their families now face unbearable grief atop unimaginable trauma. These stories make one thing clear: Hamas has no place in a civilized world. The U.S. must stand firmly with Israel to ensure these Iran-backed terrorists are never allowed to regain power.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“Seeing Israelis come home emaciated and barely able to walk is sending tremors through Israeli society as people are recalling images from the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps after World War II. While everyone in Israel is relieved to see hostages come home alive, it is clear that these hostages have survived severe degradation and abuse, and it raises fresh fear and trepidation regarding the fate and condition of remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Networks