Jerusalem: Hamas militants released three Israeli men on Saturday, parading them before a crowd in the southern Gaza Strip before handing them over to the Red Cross. This marked the sixth hostage exchange since a ceasefire began nearly a month ago. The fragile truce, part of a deal requiring Israel to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages, has faced repeated challenges.
The three hostages—46-year-old Iair Horn, a dual Israeli-Argentine citizen; 36-year-old American-Israeli Sagui Dekel Chen; and 29-year-old Russian-Israeli Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov—were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. They were transported to Israeli military custody for medical evaluation and to reunite with their families. All three appeared pale and fatigued but in better condition than some previously released captives.
Hostage release truce
The truce has enabled the release of 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners. On Saturday, Hamas confirmed that 369 Palestinian prisoners, including 36 serving life sentences, were set to be freed. Among them is Ahmed Barghouti, a close aide to prominent Palestinian figure Marwan Barghouti, who was sentenced to life for his role in attacks during the Second Intifada, as reported by Associated Press.
The hostage release was carefully staged, with captives made to appear on a platform before a crowd, flanked by armed Hamas fighters and banners of militant factions. The most recent exchange prompted cheers in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where the community celebrated their safe return.
The three Israeli men released on Saturday share harrowing experiences. Horn was abducted alongside his brother Eitan, who remains in captivity. Dekel Chen was captured while working outside during the attack, while his wife and daughters hid in a safe room. Troufanov was taken hostage with his grandmother, mother, and girlfriend, who were released in November. His father was killed during the October attack.
Among the Palestinian prisoners released are people convicted of violent offences, including Ahmed Barghouti, who was arrested in 2002 for organizing deadly attacks, as reported by Associated Press.
Of the 251 hostages taken during the October 7 attack, 73 remain in captivity in Gaza. Reports indicate that around half of them are presumed dead. Concern over their condition has intensified, particularly after last Saturday’s release, which included captives who appeared frail and malnourished. One former hostage, 65-year-old Keith Siegel, shared his experience of mistreatment during captivity, which worsened as the war escalated.
The truce, which began on January 19, has faced multiple threats. Hamas accused Israel of not providing sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza, delaying the hostage release. Israel, in turn, warned of resuming military operations if hostages were not freed.
Although immediate crises have been averted, uncertainty looms over the second phase of the ceasefire. This phase is expected to involve the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for an end to the war. However, substantive negotiations have yet to take place, and tensions remain high.
Donald Trump’s plan
Adding to the uncertainty is US President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate over 2 million Palestinians from Gaza to other countries in the region. The plan, which envisions redeveloping Gaza into a tourist destination under US control, has been welcomed by Israel’s government but strongly rejected by Palestinians and Arab nations. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about its legality under international law, warning it could constitute a war crime.
The war has left a devastating toll on Gaza. Over 48,000 Palestinians, including many women and children, have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel claims to have killed 17,000 militants but has not provided evidence. The fighting displaced 90% of Gaza’s population, and those returning home often find their neighborhoods reduced to rubble.
