US demands immediate release of all hostages by Hamas
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated President Donald Trump's stance and demanded that Hamas immediately release all hostages. The president made it clear that Hamas must now release all hostages. Rubio was quoted as saying this in the White House Post on X. His remarks came after Israel confirmed the return of three hostages freed by Hamas under a negotiated exchange. Earlier on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the three hostages, Ohad ben Ami, Eli Liquor, and Orr Levi, had been handed over to the Red Cross, which transported them to Israeli territory.
The IDF and Shin Bet forces received them upon arrival, where they were scheduled for preliminary medical evaluation. These hostages in Gaza were clearly vulnerable, their vulnerable condition causing concern in their families.
The Times of Israel reported that Hamas held a public event before their release, in which the hostages were forced to take part in a propaganda demonstration. During the ceremony, a masked Hamas activist gave a speech while three detainees were paraded on the stage holding certificates. Behind them, there were banners in Arabic, Hebrew and English: "We are flooded, war is the next day," a statement directed at US President Donald Trump, who recently announced that the US would annex Gaza.
The emotional burden on families was evident as they were reacting to the return of their loved ones. Ohad Ben Ami's mother, Michal Cohen, expressed her anguish at the sight of her son frail and older than his age. Or Levy's brother, Tal Levy, also noted his brother's debilitating condition, but emphasized the importance of continued efforts to get all the hostages back home. The Forum for Hostages and Missing Families further strengthened the call, noting the disturbing images of the released detainees as indisputable proof of how much there is a need to secure the freedom of those still incarcerated.
Under the agreement, Israel prepares to release 183 Palestinian security prisoners from Keziot prison in the Negev and Ofer prison in the West Bank. The group consists of 18 prisoners serving life sentences, seven of whom are to be deported. Of the 183 detainees, 111 were arrested in Gaza during the ongoing war, while the remaining 72 are from the West Bank and East Jerusalem.