Exchange of prisoners and hostages in the shadow of mutual accusations

111 Palestinians detained in the Gaza Strip were released after the outbreak of the war, as well as 72 previously convicted prisoners, of whom 18 served life sentences. – All released prisoners need medical care, treatment and research after they have been brutally treated in recent months – the Palestinian NGO informed the prisoners.

The red crescent of the crescent confirmed that seven of the released were taken to hospitals immediately. According to the AFP agency, among them was, among others, Jamal Al-Tawil, the political leader of Hamas on the west shore. Hamas condemned this and assessed as “slow killing of prisoners” by Israel.

Earlier, three Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7, 2023 were released on Saturday. Eli Szarabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Lewi were released in the city of Dajr Al-Balah in the central part of the Gaza Strip.

Masked and armed fighters introduced them to the stage, where they were forced to give propaganda speeches and posing for photos with Hamas representatives. Clearly emaciated hostages were dressed in uniforms reminiscent of prisoners' clothes, they also kept “certificates” confirming their release.

The Israeli army confirmed that they have already received the abducted from the Red Cross and three men will soon return to the country. At the same time, the office of the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamina Netanyahuwhich is now in USAsaid that the Israeli government would “leave no answer to shocking treatment of released hostages.”

56-year-old Ben Ami and 52-year-old Grayabs were kidnapped from Kibbutu Beeri lying at the border with the Gaza Gaza Strip, in which Hamas fighters killed over 130 people on October 7, 2023 and destroyed the settlement. Ben Ami was kidnapped with his wife, who was released during a short truce in November 2023. The wife and two teenage daughters of Szarabi were murdered during the attack.

The 34-year-old leftist was abducted from the Supernova Music Festival, taking place near Kibbutz Reim at the border with the Gaza Strip. During the attack, the terrorists also killed his wife.

The replacement is an element of the arms suspension in force since 19 January between Israel and Hamas. Until now, 18 hostages and 583 prisoners have been released in four exchange. In the first phase of the weapon suspension, which will last until the beginning of March, a total of 33 kidnapped and about 1900 prisoners are to be released.

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