DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip >> Hamas-led fighters released three gaunt, frail-looking Israeli hostages and Israel freed nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners Saturday in the latest exchange of a ceasefire agreement that has paused 16 months of war in Gaza.

The hostages’ condition and scenes of Hamas forcing them to speak in a handover ceremony sparked outrage in Israel and could increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend the ceasefire beyond its current six-week phase.

Netanyahu has signaled he would resume the war, even if that means leaving dozens of hostages in Hamas captivity. “President Trump completely agreed with me: We will do everything to return all the hostages, but Hamas will not be there,” Netanyahu said after the exchange.

Before a crowd of hundreds, armed fighters led Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34, onto a stage to make statements before handing them over to the Red Cross. The three civilian men were among about 250 people taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war.

The joy of some Israelis watching their release turned to shock and tears when they saw their emaciated state. The men appeared in poorer condition than the 18 hostages previously set free.

Later Saturday, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, some also appearing gaunt and weak. The Red Crescent said seven were taken to hospitals. Many Palestinians released during the ceasefire have appeared emaciated and pale, and have alleged abuses in Israeli custody.

It was the fifth exchange since the ceasefire began Jan. 19.

The Red Cross said it was “increasingly concerned about the conditions surrounding release operations” and urged all parties to ensure releases are dignified and private.

More hostages are to be freed

An Israeli Health Ministry representative, Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, noted “severe malnutrition” and a “significant decrease” in body weight in the hostages released, as families again feared for the dozens of hostages still held in Gaza. Not all are alive.

“We will not remain silent about this. A message has been passed on to the mediators, and action will be taken accordingly,” said Gal Hirsch, Netanyahu’s coordinator for hostages.

Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said it had made efforts to preserve the hostages’ lives “despite the (Israeli) bombardment.”

The ceasefire’s first phase calls for the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated territory. Israel says Hamas has confirmed eight of the 33 hostages are dead.

This phase does not appear to be affected by U.S. President Donald Trump’s stunning proposal to transfer the Palestinian population out of Gaza, welcomed by Israel but vehemently rejected by Palestinians and most of the international community.

But it could complicate talks over the second and more difficult phase, when Hamas is to release dozens more hostages in return for a lasting ceasefire. Hamas may be reluctant to free more captives — its main bargaining chip — if it believes the U.S. and Israel are serious about depopulating the territory, which rights groups say would violate international law.

Netanyahu on Saturday directed a delegation to go to Qatar to discuss the ceasefire agreement’s technical details, and the security Cabinet will meet about negotiations on the truce’s second phase, according to an Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss details of the talks with the news media.

Hostages learn of loved ones’ fate

Sharabi and Ben Ami were captured from Kibbutz Beeri, one of the farming communities hardest hit by the Hamas attack, while Levy was abducted from the Nova music festival.

They were only now learning the fate of some family members, according to Israeli media. Sharabi’s wife and two teenage daughters were killed, and his brother Yossi died in captivity. Levy’s wife was killed. Ben Ami’s wife, Raz, was released during a weeklong ceasefire in November 2023 that saw more than 100 hostages freed.

“It’s over, it’s over,” Levy’s brother Michael said as they embraced.

“I left XXL, I came back medium,” Ben Ami said as he hugged his daughters. One of them, Ella, told Israeli channel 12 that “it took me a moment to realize that this was my father.”