Three Israeli hostages were released by Gaza militants on Saturday in an exchange that will see 369 Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli custody. The release, facilitated by the Red Cross, marks the latest swap under the ongoing truce agreement between Israel and Hamas.
An AFP journalist reported that masked Hamas militants escorted the hostages onto a stage in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, before handing them over to Red Cross officials. The hostages, clutching gift bags and certificates marking the end of their captivity, were asked to address the gathered crowd, urging continued efforts for more hostage exchanges under the ceasefire deal.
The release is the sixth since the truce took effect on January 19, following concerns last week that the agreement was on the brink of collapse. However, both parties confirmed on Friday that Saturday’s swap would proceed as planned.
The hostages were identified as Israeli-American Sagui Dekel-Chen, Israeli-Russian Sasha Trupanov, and Israeli-Argentinian Yair Horn. They had been held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing conflict.
Handover Amidst Tension
The exchange ceremony was marked by the presence of approximately 200 militants, with fighters from Hamas and Islamic Jihad lining the stage adorned with the logo of the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades. Palestinian nationalist music played in the background as the hostages were brought forward.
In Tel Aviv, a crowd gathered at “Hostages Square” to witness the handover, waving Israeli flags and holding posters advocating for the release of all captives.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy organization, reported that Israel would release 369 prisoners in return, with 24 of them facing deportation. The majority of those being released are individuals from Gaza who were detained following the October 7 attack.
International and Regional Reactions
The truce has been under significant strain, especially after reports of the hostages’ poor physical condition following their release in previous exchanges. Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American hostage released earlier, had described his time in captivity as marked by “starvation and torture, both physically and emotionally.”
Amid the ongoing tension, the ceasefire discussions are set to advance further. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu indicated that negotiations for the second phase of the truce might begin early next week in Doha.
The conflict has drawn widespread international attention. Saudi Arabia is preparing to host a summit with leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and potential long-term resolutions. The Arab League will also convene in Cairo on February 27 to address the issue of potential displacement of Palestinians, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks suggesting relocating Gaza’s population to Egypt or Jordan.
Conflict Toll
The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack resulted in 1,211 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures. Militants also abducted 251 individuals, with 73 still held in Gaza — 35 of whom are presumed dead, according to the Israeli military.
Israel’s subsequent military response has killed at least 48,239 people in Gaza, with the majority being civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations has described these figures as credible.
As diplomatic efforts continue, global stakeholders remain hopeful for a sustainable resolution to the conflict while ensuring the safe release of remaining hostages and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Comments