Home at last: Former hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi & Ohad Ben Ami are back in Israel | Shock and outrage over condition of hostages

12:42 - Netanyahu orders to "take appropriate measures" in response to hostages' condition

The Prime Minister's Office stated: "Due to the serious condition of the three hostages and the repeated violations by the Hamas terrorist organization, Prime Minister Netanyahu has instructed to not allow the situation to go unaddressed, and to take appropriate measures."

Watching Hamas׳ grotesque parade of the hostages Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levi and Eli Sharabi.
As they force them speak to the crowd before their release.
What would you be willing to say as you see the @ICRC vehicles to secure your release?
Images of Eli Sharabi moments before the… pic.twitter.com/eRgPqQMJ2K

— Lt. Col. (R) Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) February 8, 2025

12:26 - Avigdor Liberman: 'Hamas are modern-day Nazis'

Avigdor Liberman, the chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu party, compared the sight of the hostages released earlier today to the Holocaust.

"The harrowing scenes of the three hostages, Or, Ohad, and Eli, are reminiscent of the darkest periods in human history," Liberman wrote on X.

"Hamas are modern-day Nazis. After all the hostages are released, it is our duty to ensure that no terrorist dies a natural death; they are all marked for death."

12:18 - Returning hostages meet families at initial reception point

The three returning hostages arrived at the initial reception point in southern Israel, the IDF announced.

"IDF officers from the Personnel Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the returning hostages, and they will undergo an initial medical assessment," the IDF said.

"IDF representatives are accompanying their families waiting at the hospital and updating them with the latest available information."

Today, as Or Levy returns home after enduring 491 days in captivity, his brother placed these drawings and a small ball, all gifts from Or’s son, Almog, at the initial reception point. pic.twitter.com/FqCPwkPlau

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 8, 2025

12:03 - President Herzog: 'This is what a crime against humanity looks like!'

Israel's President Isaac Herzog sharply condemned Hamas for the cynical parading of the former hostages, who he said were "starved, emaciated and pained."

"This is what a crime against humanity looks like! The whole world must look directly at Ohad, Or, and Eli—returning after 491 days of hell, starved, emaciated and pained—being exploited in a cynical and cruel spectacle by vile murderers," Herzog wrote on X.

"We take solace in the fact that they are being returned alive to the arms of their loved ones... Completing the hostage deal is a humanitarian, moral, and Jewish duty. It is essential to bring back all our sisters and brothers from the hell of captivity in Gaza—every last one of them!"

11:57 - Israeli government threatens Hamas after 'shocking sights' of hostage release

The Prime Minister's Office praised the return of the three hostages, while also warning Hamas that "The shocking images that we have seen today will not go unaddressed."

"The Government, together with all of the security officials, will accompany them and their families. The Government of Israel is committed to returning all of the hostages and the missing."

"Deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. (Psalms 31:16)."

11:55 - Returning hostages cross Israeli border, on the way to meet families

The Israeli military announced that the convoy carrying the released hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami crossed into Israeli territory.

"A short while ago, accompanied by IDF and [Shin Bet] forces, the returning hostages - Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami, and Eliyahu Sharabi - crossed the border into Israeli territory. The returning hostages are currently on their way to an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with members of their families," the IDF stated.

After 491 days, Or, Eli and Ohad are finally home 💛 pic.twitter.com/hp5CCFitFe

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 8, 2025

11:45 - Returning hostages handed over to IDF, are on the way to Israel

The released Israeli hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami were handed over to IDF troops in the Gaza Strip, the military announced.

"Three returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF special forces and [Shin Bet] forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment."

"The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit asks everyone to respect the privacy of the returning hostages and their families," the IDF statement read.

11:31 - Opposition leader Lapid: 'Difficult scenes' today 'emphasize urgent need to continue returning the kidnapped'

Responding to today's release of the three Israeli hostages, opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X:

"The difficult scenes this morning in the transfer of the kidnapped are heartbreaking and emphasize the urgent need to continue returning the hostages. There is no time. Time is running out."

"We must bring everyone back. Home. Ohad, Eli and Or. How good that you are on your way home," Lapid wrote on X.

11:14 - Levy, Sharabi and Ben Ami taken to Red Cross vehicles ahead of handover to IDF

The three Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross, which will take them to an IDF post in the Gaza Strip.

Levy, Sharabi, and Ben Ami looked extraordinarily frail, visibly lost a lot of weight, and struggled to walk on their own.

11:06 - Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami are being paraded on stage, forced to give interview

The three Israeli hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami exited Hamas vehicles looking weak and frail.

They were taken on the stage and forced to give an interview in Hebrew, including propaganda messages against the Israeli government.

10:59 - Hamas operative gives speech before Red Cross operatives sign 'release papers'

In a departure from previous release ceremonies, a Hamas operative went on the stage to give a short speech before the Red Cross representatives were led to the stage to sign the "release papers."

10:50 - Hamas vehicles arrive at handover point

Several Hamas vehicles, including some carrying heavily armed Hamas terrorists, are arriving at the handover point.

10:25 - Red Cross vehicles arrive in Deir al-Balah

Three Red Cross vehicles arrive at the handover point in Deir al-Balah.

Despite strong Israeli protests, once again a hostile crowd surrounds the vehicles and the general area of the release ceremony. However, the crowd is held back by Hamas operatives from approaching the immediate surroundings of the stage area.

10:15 – Red Cross vehicles are on the way to handover point, release expected to start soon

Israeli and Arab media outlets report that vehicles of the Red Cross are on the way to the handover point to pick up the Israeli hostages.

After the handover, they will be taken to an IDF post in the Gaza Strip.

Saturday morning – Hamas prepares to release three Israeli hostages: Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami

The terror organization Hamas constructed a stage in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, in preparation for the release ceremony of the Israeli hostages set to be released today.

It is unknown whether Hamas will release Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami together or separately.