According to the reports on Saturday (8 February), three Israeli captives—Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy—are set to be released in Gaza in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners as part of the fifth swap under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The exchange comes after a tense delay, with Hamas accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire by restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza. The three men were taken hostage during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, with two captured from Kibbutz Beeri and one from the Nova music festival.
The ceasefire deal, which began last month, is structured to facilitate the gradual release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. So far, Hamas has freed 13 Israeli hostages and five Thai workers. The current phase of the agreement is expected to last six weeks, during which 33 Israeli captives will be released. Meanwhile, Israel has bolstered its military presence in Gaza, stating that forces have been deployed as part of the ceasefire arrangements.
In a separate development, former U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a controversial plan for the United States to take control of Gaza after the war. He described his vision as a real estate transaction, suggesting that over two million Palestinians living in Gaza would be resettled in “safer and more beautiful communities.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed interest in the plan, calling it “worth listening to,” though it has been widely criticized by U.S. allies and regional leaders. A large protest took place in Amman, Jordan, condemning the proposal.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has also put forward a plan encouraging Palestinians to leave Gaza voluntarily, with potential relocation to any country willing to accept them. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have strengthened their defensive positions along the Gaza border, stating that they remain prepared to act against terrorist organizations. Netanyahu concluded his Washington visit by meeting with U.S. lawmakers and supporting Trump’s executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court, which has been investigating alleged war crimes by Israel.
References
Comments 3