Live Updates: What happend on the day three Israeli hostages were released from Hamas?

Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy, and Eli Sharabi released after 491 days in captivity • Israel releases 183 prisoners in fifth wave

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Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy, and Eli Sharabi reunite with family members in Israel, February 8, 2025.
Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy, and Eli Sharabi reunite with family members in Israel, February 8, 2025.
(photo credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO, MAAYAN TOAF/GPO)

Ex-hostage Or Levy reunites with three-year-old son after year and a half in captivity

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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Or Levy reunites with three year old son after 491 days in Hamas captivity, February 8, 2025.
Or Levy reunites with three year old son after 491 days in Hamas captivity, February 8, 2025.
(photo credit: GPO/Courtesy)

IDF shoots at several suspects approaching troops across Gaza

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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We swore ‘never again,’ yet Israeli hostages return skeletal and tortured - comment

We must be clear: Hamas does not take hostages. It takes human lives and reduces them to bargaining chips. Never again is now.

ByZVIKA KLEIN
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Released hostages Or Levy (left), Eli (Eliyahu) Sharabi (center), and Ohad Ben Ami (right), before (top) and after (bottom) Hamas captivity, February 8, 2025.
Released hostages Or Levy (left), Eli (Eliyahu) Sharabi (center), and Ohad Ben Ami (right), before (top) and after (bottom) Hamas captivity, February 8, 2025.
(photo credit: Canva, GPO, Hostages and Missing Families Forum, REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)
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WATCH: Israel Air Force demolishes Syrian Hamas weapons facility near Damascus

Additional reports of explosions came after the IDF vowed to continue to "dismantle Hamas' capabilities on all of its fronts."

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IAF fighter jets striking a weapons storage facility belonging to Hamas in the area of Deir Ali in southern Syria, February 8, 2025. (CREDIT: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
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Israeli security forces arrest wanted suspect in West Bank operation

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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Israeli delegation to depart for Doha in a 'symbolic trip,' talks not expected to advance - report

The security cabinet will convene only on Monday to discuss Israel's position in the negotiations.

ByWALLA!
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Protestors outside President Herzog's residence in Tsahala in North Tel Aviv call to seal the deal for the release of all the hostages still held by Hamas, February 8, 2025.
Protestors outside President Herzog's residence in Tsahala in North Tel Aviv call to seal the deal for the release of all the hostages still held by Hamas, February 8, 2025.
(photo credit: HILA COHEN)
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Released hostages arrive at Israeli hospitals, are reunited with their families

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Returned hostages 'went through hell,' Health Ministry says

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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(photo credit: GILI YAARI /FLASH90)
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IDF Chief of Staff, ISA Director Ronen Bar, and more during the return of the three hostages

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Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, with ISA Director Ronen Bar, Head of the Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters, MG (res.) Nitzan Alon, and the Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force , Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, at the Hostages and Missing Persons Command Center, 08/02/2025.
Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, with ISA Director Ronen Bar, Head of the Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters, MG (res.) Nitzan Alon, and the Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force , Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, at the Hostages and Missing Persons Command Center, 08/02/2025.
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and ISA Director Ronen Bar during the return of the three hostages

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, with ISA Director Ronen Bar during the return of the three hostages, 08/02/2025
Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, with ISA Director Ronen Bar during the return of the three hostages, 08/02/2025
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)
Israel at War: What you need to know


  • Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
  • Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Re'im music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities.
  • 76 hostages remain in Gaza.
  • 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says.
  • The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30.
  • The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4:00 a.m.
  • Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire on January 17, 2025
  • 735 terrorists will be released as part of the hostage deal


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