This brings the total freed since the ceasefire took effect last month to 21 people freed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad – 16 of them Israelis and five Thai citizens who had been workers in the Kibbutz which were attacked. This is still part of the first, 42-day phase of the agreement.
The three Israelis released Saturday have been identified as Eli Sharabi, 52, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Or Levy, 34. They were paraded on a stage in the town of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza to sign handover documents.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the scene of the emaciated hostages “shocking” and vowed that the government would take action against Hamas.
“The shocking images we saw today will not pass without response,” the statement reads. “The government, together with security officials, will support them and their families. Israel is committed to bringing back all the hostages and missing.”
According to a description via NBC:
The freed captives looked gaunt as they were paraded on stage by Hamas just before the were transferred into the custody of the Red Cross, and they were also interviewed on stage by one of the fighters.
Netanyahu has “instructed to now allow the situation to go unaddressed,” a statement from his office said, without giving further details.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said in separate statement the hostages were “being exploited in a cynical and cruel spectacle,” after suffering “491 days of hell.” […]
— Read More: www.zerohedge.com
