HAMAS Releases More Captives as Cease Fire with Israel Holds

What Happened?

HAMAS released three more Israeli captives whom they kidnapped over sixteen months ago, ending a long and harrowing ordeal for the three men. 

In addition to the release of captives by HAMAS, Israel also freed over one hundred Palestinian prisoners, which was part of the cease fire deal which continues to hold. 

Many of the Palestinians freed were taken prisoner by the Israeli Defense Force in Gaza after the October 2023 attacks. 

The Israeli captives appeared gaunt, pale, and in poor health, a spectacle Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a shocking scene which will not be ignored. 

Why it Matters

Ben Ami and Sharabi had both lived in Kibbutz Beeri, from which they were kidnapped in October of 2023 by HAMAS. Levy was taken captive while attending the Nova music festival. The poor physical condition of the men produced immediate reactions in Israel.

‘These disturbing images show the entire world the desperate reality facing every hostage still held in Gaza,’ said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an organization representing most of the hostages’ families. ‘There can be no more delays — a second stage of the hostage deal must be implemented immediately!’

It was not just Israelis who were concerned about the condition of the hostages. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it is ‘increasingly concerned about the conditions surrounding release operations.’

While the release of prisoners from both sides is part of the original cease fire deal, in order for all hostages to be returned to their homes Israel and HAMAS will have to begin a series of complex negotiations, and the outcome of those is far from certain. 

The release of hostages in poor health will add public pressure to those negotiations. Phase one of the cease fire deal, which took effect on January 17, 2025, is supposed to last for six weeks.

A cease fire is not the same as a formal peace treaty. Whereas a peace treaty permanently ends a war, a cease fire is both temporary and conditional. 

If one side feels the conditions have not been met, they can resume hostilities which would reignite the war. A resumption of hostilities could happen at any time, but so far, the peace deal seems to be on firm footing because both sides see more value in the pause of combat operations. 

How it Affects You

The cease fire deal between Israel and HAMAS not only brought an end to combat in Gaza. It has also stopped the fighting by Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, who were fighting on behalf of HAMAS. 

The chances of the Gaza War become a full scale regional conflict are still there, but as long as the fighting has stopped there is room for negotiations to bring a more lasting end to the war.