Hamas-led militants launched three gaunt, frail-looking Israeli hostages, and Israel freed practically 200 Palestinian prisoners Saturday within the newest change of a ceasefire settlement that has paused 16 months of struggle in Gaza.Video above: Hamas releases 3 male Israeli hostagesThe hostages’ situation and scenes of Hamas forcing them to talk in a handover ceremony sparked outrage in Israel and will enhance strain on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to increase the ceasefire past its present six-week section.Netanyahu has signaled he would resume the struggle, even when that meant leaving dozens of hostages in Hamas captivity.Earlier than a crowd of a whole bunch, armed militants led Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34, onto a stage to make statements earlier than handing them over to the Purple Cross. The three civilian males had been amongst about 250 individuals kidnapped throughout the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the struggle.The enjoyment of some Israelis watching their launch turned to shock and tears after they noticed their emaciated state. The boys appeared in poorer situation than the 18 hostages beforehand let out.Later Saturday, Israel launched 183 Palestinian prisoners, some additionally showing gaunt and weak. The Purple Crescent mentioned seven had been taken to hospitals.It was the fifth change because the ceasefire started Jan. 19.The Purple Cross mentioned it was “more and more involved in regards to the circumstances surrounding launch operations” and urged all events to make sure releases are dignified and personal.Many Palestinians launched throughout the ceasefire have appeared emaciated and pale and have alleged abuses in Israeli custody. Hostages’ situation sparks concernThe hostages’ situation and statements beneath duress — a departure from earlier releases — sparked outrage in Israel. An Israeli Well being Ministry consultant, Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, famous “extreme malnutrition” and a “important lower” in physique weight.“We is not going to stay silent about this. A message has been handed on to the mediators, and motion will probably be taken accordingly,” mentioned Gal Hirsch, Netanyahu’s coordinator for hostages.Hamas’ army wing, the Qassam Brigades, mentioned it had made efforts to protect the hostages’ lives “regardless of the (Israeli) bombardment.”The ceasefire’s present section doesn’t look like affected by U.S. President Donald Trump’s gorgeous proposal to switch the Palestinian inhabitants out of Gaza, welcomed by Israel however vehemently rejected by Palestinians and many of the worldwide neighborhood.However it might complicate talks over the second and tougher section when Hamas is to launch dozens extra hostages in return for an enduring ceasefire. Hamas could also be reluctant to free extra captives — its principal bargaining chip — if it believes the U.S. and Israel are severe about depopulating the territory, which rights teams say would violate worldwide legislation.The ceasefire’s first section requires the discharge of 33 hostages and practically 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, and a rise in humanitarian help to the devastated territory. Israel says Hamas has confirmed eight of the 33 hostages are lifeless.Twenty-one hostages — together with 5 Thais not counted within the 33 — and greater than 730 Palestinian prisoners have been freed. Greater than 70 hostages stay in Gaza, however Israel believes 34 are lifeless.Who was launched?Sharabi and Ben Ami had been captured from Kibbutz Beeri, one of many farming communities hardest hit by the Hamas assault, whereas Levy was kidnapped from the Nova music pageant.Sharabi’s spouse and two teenage daughters had been killed within the assault. His brother Yossi was kidnapped and died in captivity. Levy’s spouse was killed within the assault.Ben Ami, a father of three, was kidnapped along with his spouse, Raz, who was launched throughout a weeklong ceasefire in November 2023 that noticed greater than 100 hostages freed.“It’s over, it’s over,” Levy’s brother Michael mentioned as the 2 embraced at a army base. Ben Ami’s daughter Ella advised Israeli Channel 12 that “it took me a second to appreciate that this was my father.”The Palestinian prisoners launched embody 18 serving life sentences for lethal assaults on Israelis, 54 serving long-term sentences and 111 Palestinians from Gaza detained after the Oct. 7 assault however not tried for any crime. All are males, ages 20 to 61.Just about each Palestinian has a pal, relative or acquaintance who has been imprisoned.Senior militants amongst prisoners releasedSeven of the launched prisoners had been transferred to Egypt. Others had been transferred to Palestinian custody within the West Financial institution, the place cheering supporters welcomed them.Some had been detained over offenses starting from bomb assaults to involvement in militant organizations. They embody Iyad Abu Shakhdam, 49, locked up for practically 21 years over his involvement in Hamas assaults in crowded civilian areas that killed dozens of Israelis throughout the Palestinian rebellion of the early 2000s. That included a 2004 suicide bus bombing in Israel’s southern metropolis of Beersheba that killed 16 individuals.One other is Jamal al-Tawil, a outstanding Hamas politician within the occupied West Financial institution. The army reported his final arrest in 2021 over alleged efforts to entrench Hamas’ management within the West Financial institution. He was transferred to administrative detention, a renewable six-month interval through which suspects are held with out cost or trial.Israel captured the West Financial institution, Gaza and east Jerusalem within the 1967 Mideast struggle. The Palestinians need all three territories for his or her future state.Ceasefire’s subsequent section is uncertainIt’s unclear whether or not Israel and Hamas have begun negotiating the ceasefire’s second section. The struggle might resume in early March if no settlement is reached.Israel says it’s dedicated to destroying Hamas, which reasserted its rule over Gaza inside hours of the ceasefire. Hamas says it received’t launch remaining hostages with out an finish to the struggle and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.Within the Oct. 7 assault, about 1,200 individuals, largely civilians, had been killed. Greater than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory struggle, over half of them girls and kids, based on Gaza’s well being ministry, which doesn’t say what number of had been militants.The Israeli army says it killed greater than 17,000 fighters with out offering proof. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas for working in residential neighborhoods.___Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Related Press author Isabel Debre in Ramallah, West Financial institution, contributed to this report.