'Grotesque spectacle' of Hamas hostage release in Gaza criticised by relatives

More than 180 Palestinian detainees also set free in exchange

- HOLLY BANCROFT

Family members of Israeli hostages released by Hamas yesterday have said they were “horrified” by the “grotesque spectacle” of the exchange.

The three Israelis, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy, had been held hostage in Gaza for 16 months and appeared emaciated and pale as they were handed over to the Red Cross. Before they were released they were paraded on stage by Hamas fighters, presented with a certificate, and interviewed – in a show condemned as “cynical and cruel” by Israel’s president.

Hamas released the Israeli hostages in the fifth such exchange under the terms of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Israel also released 183 Palestinians yesterday to fulfil its side of the agreement, with images showing people hugging and cheering as people were returned to the occupied West Bank.

Under the terms of the deal, Hamas agreed to gradually free 33 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians. Dozens of masked and armed Hamas fighters were deployed in Deir alBalah, in central Gaza, yesterday at the site where the group handed over the hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Crowds of hundreds of people gathered at the site, where the ICRC vehicles waited to collect the hostages and transport them to Israeli forces in Gaza.

Before the three men were put into the vehicles, they were led onto a stage by Hamas fighters. They were given what appeared to be certificates of their release and then appeared to be interviewed, as militants armed with automatic rifles stood on each side. After this display they were escorted off stage and into the Red Cross cars. This was the first time hostages freed during this phase of the ceasefire have been made to make public statements during their release.