Hamas Reveals The Names Of Three Hostages To Be Released Saturday

Hamas released the names of three hostages set to be released from Gaza on Saturday.

Israeli citizens Or Levy, 34, Eli Sharabi, 52, and Ohad Ben Ami, 56, will return home as part of the fifth wave of hostages released during the first phase of the ceasefire.

Levy was just arriving at the Nova Music festival on October 7, 2023, when terrorists killed his wife and kidnapped him. Levy was hiding in a bomb shelter where many civilians were killed. Those who survived pretended they were dead.

Levy was reportedly taken to Gaza alongside Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American citizen who Hamas murdered in August, The Jerusalem Post reported. Levy’s three-year-old son, Almog, has been living with his grandparents, and reportedly asks when he can return home.

Sharabi will return to a difficult life: Hamas murdered his wife, Leanne, and two daughters Noys and Yahel on October 7. His brother Yossi, who was also taken hostage, is believed to be dead.

Sharabi’s niece and Yossi’s daughter recently spoke about the hell the family has been living in since Hamas’s attack.

“My father was kidnapped before my eyes,” she said. “He was murdered after surviving almost 100 days in terrible conditions in captivity. My uncle was also kidnapped. His wife, my aunt Liane, and my cousins ​​Yahel and Noya were murdered in their home. My cousin Idan and his girlfriend Eden were also murdered at the Nova festival.”

“I’m 15,” she added. “The amount of loss inside me doesn’t match my age. I’ve lost people I love so much.”

Ben Ami, a dual German-Israeli citizen, was taken hostage with his wife, Raz, who was released in November 2023. Ben Ami’s last message on WhatsApp reportedly said “Shma Yisrael, they’re here,” citing one of the most important Jewish prayers that many Jews say before they die.

Both Ben Ami and Sharabi were taken hostage from Kibbutz Be’eri.

So far, 13 of the 33 hostages slated to be released under the first phase of the deal have been freed, including American citizen Keith Siegel. An additional five Thai hostages were released under a separate agreement.

The fate of the remaining hostages, including five Americans, will be determined in the next phases.