TRANSCRIPT
Hamas militants released three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross on Saturday, while Israel freed dozens of Palestinian prisoners under a ceasefire deal to pause the war in Gaza.
The hostages, 52-year-old Eli Sharabi; 56-year-old Ohad Ben Ami; and 34-year-old Or Levy, were taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
They appeared pale and weak as armed Hamas fighters escorted them from a van onto a stage in Deir al-Balah before being handed over to the Red Cross.
Meanwhile, buses carrying 42 freed Palestinian prisoners arrived in Ramallah and Khan Younis, greeted by cheering crowds.
In total, Israel released 183 Palestinians, including some convicted of deadly attacks, and 111 detainees from Gaza.
Eyad Abu Shkaidem is one of the freed Palestinians.
"Today you can announce that I am reborn, I am reborn. The prisoners are suffering a lot, they are being abused.
JOURNALIST: After 18 years in prison, did you have hope that you will be released?)
Yes, since my first day at prison I knew that God will stand by me and I will be released.
JOURNALIST: What do you say to Gaza?
May their soul rest in peace, and others God stand by them and they will win."
Many released Palestinians appeared in poor health, with reports of mistreatment, and many had never been convicted of a crime in court.
Of the 183 inmates released by Israel, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club advocacy group says seven required hospitalisation.
Freed detainee Alaa Al Agha describes his ordeal:
"The conditions were very bad, no food, no water, no medicine. We were in a torture center for 24 hours. I spent 40 days handcuffed and blindfolded, and I could not go to the bathroom or anywhere else. There was no food. I entered prison at 100 kg and left at 58 kg."
Under the ceasefire terms, some prisoners linked to Hamas will be deported to Egypt and other countries.
Two Israeli hostages, Mr Ben Ami and Mr Levy, reunited with their families at a military facility near Gaza’s border.
In an Israeli army video, Ben Ami was seen embracing his wife, a fellow Hamas captivity survivor, before calling his daughters and mother at a Tel Aviv hospital.
Mr Levy, looking gaunt, was comforted by his brother, who told him, "You're OK, it's over."
This comes as the Director of Sheba General Hospital and head of its medical response team for returning hostages raised concerns for those still held in Gaza.
Doctor Yael Frenkel Nir says the condition of the three Israeli hostages freed is worrisome.
"The situation of the returnees who arrived today arouses in us a deep and serious concern for the fate of those who remain in captivity. Our first duty as doctors, as humans and as a society, is to work for the return of all the hostages - until the last one. The returnees we have received in this latest exchange shows the situation is more serious this time. Keeping humans in captivity in such deplorable conditions has serious health consequences. From the medical knowledge we have accumulated, we know the long time in captivity is reflected by a significant deterioration in their condition."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the sight of the frail hostages is shocking and would be addressed.
He has ordered negotiators to return to Qatar to discuss the fragile ceasefire.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group described the images of the released hostages as disturbing, saying it shows the need to get all hostages released.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross called on all parties, including the mediators, to take responsibility to ensure that future releases are dignified and private.
The released Israeli hostages were paraded before a crowd of hundreds of Palestinians and were forced to make statements denouncing Israel's war in Gaza.
