Hamas’ ghoulish parade of released hostages is intended to persuade both Israel and Palestinians that they are still in charge, experts said last night.
The latest three hostages have been released after 491 days in activity in a fanfare of defiance by the terrorist organisation Hamas.
Gaunt from their ordeal, Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami were displayed like trophies on a stage as crowds gathered in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah.
Behind them, Hamas had erected a backdrop displaying a slogan that read: “We’re the flood, the war’s the next day”.
“The is no doubt that Hamas is trying to show the world that it is still in charge despite the sheer degradation it has suffered at the hands of Israel,” said regional expert Megan Sutcliffe, of the Sibylline Strategic risk group.
She added: “This type of showmanship is intended to send a clear message to three different groups of people.
“First, it is a message to the hostages themselves that they are only being released because Hamas has chosen to do so.
“It is a message to Israel that it has failed in its aim to destroy Hamas and, significantly, it is a message to Palestinians that Hamas is still in charge.”
Those released today as part of the Gaza ceasefire included 52-year-old Eli Sharabi.
He had been at his home in kibbutz Be’eri with his British-born wife Lianne, and two teenaged daughters, Noiya and Yahel, when militants stormed it on October 7 2023.
Drug-fuelled jihadists shot their dog, before locking the family in their safe room and setting it on fire.
The bodies of his wife and two daughters were later identified.
His brother, Yossi Sharabi, was murdered in captivity with his body still held in Gaza.
The second hostage, Ohad Ben Ami, was also kidnapped from Be’er kibbutz.
Or Levy, 34, was attending the Nova Music Festival with his 32-year-old wife, Eynav, when hundreds of militants descended.
Hamas killed his wife and took Or to Gaza.
While the US will not allow Hamas to continue ruling Gaza, alternatives are difficult to find.
Megan Sutcliffe added: “It is true that Israel has severely degraded Hamas’ command and control structure, but it is till involved in civil policing and is even in charge of regulating the movement of people back into northern Gaza.
“According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Hamas has recruited 10,000 radicalised militants and, while the US will not allow it to rule, it is highly unlikely to agree to the formation of any structure that it does not believe it can influence.”