Photo by
Majdi Fathi/TPS-IL on 8 February, 2025
‘Crime Against Humanity’: Hostages Returned in Emaciated Condition
Jerusalem, 8 February, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Israel conveyed a message to mediating parties regarding the emaciated condition of the released hostages on Saturday.
“Following the severe condition of the three hostages and Hamas’ repeated violations, Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed not to let this pass and to take appropriate action.”
Noya Ziv, a protester at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, told TPS-IL: “They returned thin, emaciated, we must do everything to get them out. Those who returned told us that they prepared animal cages for them, that they were kept in animal cages, we must do everything to release them and for the world to wake up already. All Israelis should take to the streets as if these were their parents, their grandparents, their children, and the whole world needs to wake up!”
The three hostages – Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami – who were held for 491 days in Hamas captivity, were released this morning and transferred to the Red Cross. The hostages descended from Hamas vehicles requiring support to reach the platform. They appeared thin and pale – though able to stand. They struggled with exposure to sunlight but were forced to cooperate and answer Hamas’ questions in Hebrew.
‘A Crime Against Humanity’
In response to the condition of the hostages, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, “This is what a crime against humanity looks like! The whole world must look directly at Ohad, Or, and Eli – who have returned from 491 days of hell in captivity, hurt, emaciated, and damaged, exploited in a cynical and evil ceremony by cursed murderers. We take solace in their return alive to their loved ones.”
Herzog added that “Completing a hostage deal is a human, moral, and Jewish act. It is crucial to return all our sisters and brothers from the hell of captivity in Gaza – until the very last one.”
According to MK Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu party, “The disturbing images of the three hostages, Or, Ohad, and Eli, remind us of the darkest periods in human history. Hamas are modern-day Nazis. After all hostages are released, it is our duty to ensure that no terrorist dies a natural death – they are all condemned to death.”
The Hostages’ Families Headquarters stated: “Their images this morning testify to the harsh reality of the 76 hostages still held in Hamas’ underground hell in Gaza. The hostages are experiencing a holocaust there and are in immediate danger. This is a crime against humanity!”
Despite the images of the released hostages’ condition, the release of terrorists from the Ofer Prison has begun. The Israel Prison Service was preparing to release 183 Palestinian terrorists, including several serving life sentences for murder. They have been brought to the main reception centers in the ‘Ofer’ and ‘Ktziot’ prisons where Red Cross representatives will identify each one.
Once the hostages are freed, the Red Cross will take the prisoners to release points in Judea and Samaria and eastern Jerusalem. Others being deported to the Gaza Strip or to third countries via Gaza will be taken to the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
The ongoing first phase of the ceasefire is supposed to see a total of 33 Israeli hostages freed over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian terrorists imprisoned in Israel. The exact number will depend on how many are alive.
The fate of the remaining 65 hostages will be determined by negotiations during the ceasefire’s second phase. Critics say the phased approach condemns hostages not freed in the beginning to open-ended captivity and undermines Israel’s war gains.
At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 76 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed to be dead.
