Hamas starts preparations for hostage release in Deir al-Balah

Hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami are set to be released on Saturday after spending 491 days in captivity.

By SAM HALPERN, GADI ZAIG FEBRUARY 8, 2025 07:39 Updated: FEBRUARY 8, 2025 08:27

Palestinian Hamas terrorists stand guard before they release hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, February 8, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)

The Hamas terrorist organization began preparations on Saturday morning for the release of hostages in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah. A security official confirmed later that the IDF is preparing to receive hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami.

The IDF estimates that they will be returned at around 10:00 a.m. in central Gaza.

The three hostages will be released after spending 491 days in captivity. Including these three, 79 hostages, both dead and alive, remain in the Gaza Strip.

Hostages will reunite with families at Re'im base

The hostages will be accompanied by Israeli forces to the Re’im base in Israel, where they will reunite with their families, according to the security official. They will then be transferred to Tel Aviv's Sourasky Medical Center and the Sheba Medical Center.

Levy, Sharabi, and Ben Ami were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel.

Hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami are scheduled to return from Gaza captivity Saturday, February 7, 2025 (illustration). (credit: Hostages and Missing Families Forum)

In the Alghad TV livestream, a stage similar to the one used by Hamas during previous hostage releases can be seen. Numerous armed Hamas terrorists are also at the scene.