Hamas setting up stage for hostage release in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah

A stage set up by Hamas in central Gaza ahead of a hostage release on February 8, 2025 (Screncapture/YouTube)
A stage set up by Hamas in central Gaza ahead of a hostage release on February 8, 2025 (Screncapture/YouTube)

Hamas has begun setting up a stage in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah where the hostage release is expected to take place.

The location is a new one, with the terror group shifting sites where it conducts the releases.

The stage has a a sign of a fist with a Palestinian flag, and the words “total victory” written in Hebrew at the bottom over a picture of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has vowed the war will not end until Israel achieves “total victory.”

White pickup trucks with machine guns mounted on the back flank the stage and masked and armed Hamas gunmen can be seen forming a cordon surrounding the site.

It is not immediately clear if there will be one or more sites where the three hostages, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, Eli Sharabi, 52, and Or Levy, 34, will be freed.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.