Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Feb 8: Israel has received the names of three hostages to be freed by Hamas on Saturday as part of a ceasefire-hostage deal, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed.

In exchange, Israel will release 183 Palestinian prisoners, Hamas announced on Friday.

The three Israeli hostages, taken in the October 7 Hamas-led attack, are Ohad Ben Ami (56), a dual Israeli-German citizen; Eli Sharabi (52); and Or Levy (34).

Sharabi was kidnapped from Kibbutz Beeri, where his wife and daughters were killed by Hamas militants. Ben Ami, a father of three, was also taken from the kibbutz but his wife was freed during a previous deal. Levy, a computer programmer from Rishon Lezion, was abducted from a bomb shelter near the Nova music festival; his wife was killed in the attack, leaving their toddler in the care of relatives.

So far, Hamas has released 18 hostages, including five Thai nationals, while Israel has freed around 600 Palestinian prisoners under the ongoing agreement.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump sparked controversy by reiterating his proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop the region as a travel hub. The idea has been widely condemned by Arab nations and Palestinians, who call it ethnic cleansing.

Under the 42-day ceasefire deal, Hamas is to release 33 hostages, while Israel is set to free hundreds of prisoners. The current swap marks the fifth such exchange, but negotiations for a second phase remain unresolved.