10-02-2025
'He looked so skinny,' says relative of released Israeli hostage
STORY: :: The sister-in-law of Ohad Ben Ami reacts to his release after 15 months in Hamas captivity
:: Tel Mond, Israel
:: Ayelet Hakim, Relative of released Israeli hostage
"It's a mix of feelings. I feel a lot of joy, of course, saying Ohad coming back. It was really very happy occasion. But when I saw them coming out of the car in Gaza, it was horrible. My heart sank and I was really, really overwhelmed from the way he looked so skinny. And so pale. And he looked like he was suffering for a very, very long time."
:: Tel Aviv, Israel
"I can't even imagine how a person that been out of contact with his family for so long in such bad conditions suddenly see all his family again, it's really unbelievable."
Ohad Ben Ami was among the three Israeli hostages released on Saturday who all appeared thin, weak and pale, in worse condition than the 18 other hostages already freed under the truce agreed in January after 15 months of war.
Various U.N reports stated that more than 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing 'extremely critical' levels of hunger.
The first phase of the ceasefire has largely held since it took effect on January 19. However, fears have grown that the deal might collapse before all 76 remaining hostages held by Hamas are freed.
