Savages

WATCH: Hamas publishes shocking footage of today's hostage release

Hmas parades three starved Israelis like trophies, forcing emaciated hostages who can barely walk to praise their tormentors before letting them go home after 491 days of deliberate starvation in Gaza's tunnels.

Gila Isaacson

FEB 8, 2025 19:58

2 min read

Three Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity Saturday in what officials described as "shocking" and "inhuman" condition, prompting stern warnings from Israeli leadership that the terrorists' actions "will not go unanswered."

Or Levy, Ohad Ben-Ami, and Eli Sharabi crossed into Israeli territory looking so severely malnourished that their own families barely recognized them, according to official statements. The men were immediately transferred to medical facilities in the Gaza envelope area for urgent evaluation.

"We will not ignore the shocking images we saw today," the Prime Minister's Office declared in a strongly-worded statement, adding that the government together with security agencies would take "appropriate actions" in response to the hostages' condition and Hamas' "repeated violations."

Gal Hirsch, Israel's Coordinator for Captives and Missing Persons, emphasized the severity of the situation: "The shocking images we saw today touch all our hearts and join the vivid and searing memory of October 7, 2023." He confirmed that messages regarding Hamas' treatment of the hostages had been conveyed to mediators.

The release came after Hamas delayed providing the list of hostages until after the start of Sabbath, further straining the exchange process. The three men were part of the fifth round of exchanges under the current agreement.

Israeli officials noted that 76 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, both living and deceased. "The Israeli government is fully committed to returning them all," the Prime Minister's Office stated, adding that security forces are "working tirelessly to bring them home."

The three men will now begin what medical professionals describe as a long journey of rehabilitation, with government agencies pledging full support for them and their families during the recovery process.