Hamas must release all hostages now, says US Secretary of State
Reaffirming US President Donald Trump’s firm stance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas, following the return of three captives.
Posting on X, Rubio stated, “After 490 harrowing days in captivity, Eli, Or, and Ohad are finally home in Israel. President of the United States (POTUS) was clear—Hamas must release all hostages now!”
Hostages released
The statement came after Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday. The freed captives, kidnapped during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, were identified as:
- Ohad Ben Ami, 56, a dual Israeli-German citizen
- Eli Sharabi, 52
- Or Levy, 34
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the hostages were transferred from central Gaza to the IDF and the Israel Security Agency before crossing into Israel.
Earlier in the day, three vehicles from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) arrived at the designated handover site in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Reports indicate that the hostages, appearing frail and exhausted, stepped onto a platform to speak before being handed over by Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, to the ICRC.
Reports also noted that Ben Ami’s wife had been kidnapped on the same day but was released after 54 days in captivity as part of a previous hostage deal.
Prisoner exchange under ceasefire agreement
This release marks the fifth hostage-prisoner swap under the first phase of a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt and Qatar with US support.
As part of the deal, Israel has begun releasing 183 Palestinian prisoners from its jails. Abdullah al-Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, confirmed that the released prisoners, transported by Red Cross buses, had arrived in Ramallah. TV footage showed large crowds gathering to welcome them.
The Hamas-affiliated Prisoners’ Media Office stated that among the freed Palestinian prisoners were:
- 18 serving life sentences
- 54 with long-term sentences
- 111 from Gaza who were arrested after the October 7 attack
Ceasefire agreement details
The ongoing ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, outlines a phased swap between the two sides. Under the agreement, Hamas is to release 33 Israeli hostages over 42 days, while Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The international community continues to monitor the implementation of the deal as pressure mounts for a broader resolution to the conflict.
