Israel At War

Troufanov, who was kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, alongside his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend is set to be released on Saturday.

A recently released hostage has provided the first confirmation in months that Omri was alive and in relatively stable condition as of July.

86-years-old Shlomo Mantzur has been slated for release in the first phase of the hostage deal.

The terror group said that remaining captives, some of whom are scheduled to be freed Saturday, might stay in captivity unless Israel remedied "ongoing violations." Israeli defense minister warns Hamas IDF preparing for any scenario. Source: If they don't release the hostages as agreed, there will clearly be far-reaching consequences.

According to senior officials the original vote included tacit acceptance of controversial Phase Two terms, including a nearly complete IDF pullout and emptying prisons from lifers, contradicting previous statements from the prime minister's office.

Israel Medical Association Chairman calls on the international medical community "to look into the eyes of Ohad, Eli, and Or and take a clear and unequivocal stance on the severe health condition of both the released hostages and the many who remain captive."

Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami, and Eli Sharabi were freed from Hamas captivity and reunited with their families at the hospital. Tal, Or’s brother: 'Or wouldn't have survived another month in captivity.' Eli Sharabi’s family struggled to recognize him at first due to his deteriorated physical condition. A friend of Ohad Ben Ami: 'When I saw him yesterday, I was in shock.'

The three hostages were held in severe conditions, according to their testimonies. For most of their captivity, they were given very little food and kept in underground tunnels without exposure to daylight. They stated that they had no way of knowing whether it was summer or winter outside.

Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami, and Eli Sharabi were transferred from Hamas captivity to Red Cross personnel in a cynical ceremony, appearing frail and emaciated. Professor Hagai Levine: 'Medical teams must examine them and translate their appearance into diagnoses and treatment.'

Ohad, Or, and Eli are back home, in Israel, after spending 491 days in Hamas captivity. Meanwhile, the Israel Prison Service is gearing up for the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners, including 18 sentenced to life terms, who will be transferred to the West Bank and Gaza.