Hamas to release three Israeli men Saturday in latest round of exchanges under ceasefire deal

Hamas on Friday released the names of three Israelis it said it would release from Gaza on Saturday.

Hamas has released the names of three Israeli men it said it would free from Gaza on Saturday, in what will be the fifth round of exchanges under the ongoing ceasefire. Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy are expected to be released on the 491st day of their captivity, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed. Scores of Palestinian prisoners are due to be released in return. Ben Ami, 56, was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife Raz Ben Ami was also taken captive and was freed during a ceasefire in November 2023. Sharabi, age 52, was also taken from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife and daughters were murdered on October 7, according to the kibbutz. His brother Yossi Sharabi, who was taken captive, died in Gaza, where his body remains, according to the Israeli military. Or Levy, age 34, was attending the Nova music festival on October 7 when he was kidnapped. His wife Eynav was murdered in the attack. In a statement from spokesperson Michal Peikin, Kibbutz Be’eri celebrated the scheduled release of two of their residents.