Three Israeli hostages freed in truce swap with Hamas

Since the truce took effect on January 19, 16 Israeli and dual-national hostages have been freed, as have five Thais outside of the agreement.

A total of 33 hostages, eight of whom Israel says are dead, are set to be released during the first 42-day phase of the deal in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The fate of the remaining children held in Gaza -- Kfir Bibas and his brother Ariel -- as well as their mother Shiri Bibas, remains unknown.

The three men released on Saturday looked frail and disoriented, and were forced by their captors to address crowds gathered at their handover ceremony.

Here is what we know about the men, who are now back in Israel.

Eli Sharabi, 52

Eli Sharabi, who will turn 53 in February, was at his home in kibbutz Beeri with his British-born wife and their two teenage daughters when Hamas stormed it on October 7, 2023.

The armed men shot their dog, before locking the family in their safe room and setting it on fire. The bodies of his wife and two daughters were later identified.

He was taken to Gaza along with his brother Yossi. The Israeli military said early last year that Yossi was killed and his body was in the hands of Hamas in Gaza.

Ohad Ben Ami, 56

Ohad Ben Ami was abducted with his wife Raz Ben Ami from their home in kibbutz Beeri.

She was released during a one-week truce in November 2023.

Images have circulated on social media showing him being seized in a T-shirt and underwear.

Ben Ami, who has dual Israeli and German citizenship and turned 56 in captivity, is the accountant for his kibbutz and a keen bike rider.

Or Levy, 34

Or Levy and his wife Einav Levy went to the Nova music festival, leaving their two-year-old son Almog with his grandparents.

The usually inseparable couple, who met in high school, tried to hide from the Hamas attackers along Route 232, the only path away from the festival.

"When gunfire erupted shortly after their arrival, they sought refuge in a concrete safe room, later known as 'the death bunker'. There, Einav was murdered, and Or was taken captive," the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.

Or was abducted with three other young men.