Hamas and Israel Continue Hostage-Prisoner Swaps Under Fragile Gaza Ceasefire

Three Israeli civilians and 183 Palestinian prisoners are set to be exchanged Saturday as part of an agreement halting the conflict until early March.

Three Israeli hostages, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy, abducted during the October 2023 Hamas attack, will be released on Saturday.
In exchange, Israel will release 183 Palestinian prisoners, including individuals serving life sentences and long-term sentences for deadly attacks.
This marks the fifth prisoner-hostage exchange since the ceasefire began on January 19, with 18 hostages and over 550 Palestinian prisoners freed so far.
The ceasefire agreement’s first phase includes the release of 33 hostages, nearly 2,000 prisoners, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Negotiations for a second phase are uncertain, with Hamas demanding an end to the war and Israeli withdrawal, while Israel remains committed to dismantling Hamas.