Feb 16 (V7N) – Hamas released three Israeli hostages in Gaza on Saturday, while Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange, following mediation efforts to uphold the fragile ceasefire. The exchange took place in Khan Younis, where armed Hamas militants oversaw the handover of the hostages, who were later taken back to Israel.

The release of the Palestinian detainees, many of whom were convicted for attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians, was met with celebrations in Ramallah and Khan Younis. Some prisoners, including Hassan Ewis, were permitted to return home, while others faced deportation to Egypt. Reports from both sides indicated harsh conditions in captivity, with freed Israeli hostages describing prolonged confinement in tunnels and deprivation of basic necessities.

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, is set to enter a second phase focused on negotiations to release remaining hostages and achieve a full Israeli military withdrawal before discussing long-term peace efforts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited U.S. President Donald Trump’s pressure on Hamas for securing the latest hostage releases. Families of freed hostages expressed relief but emphasized the urgency of securing the return of others still in captivity.

Among the hostages released were U.S.-Israeli citizen Sagui Dekel Chen, Russian-Israeli Sasha Troufanov, and Argentina-born Iair Horn, all of whom were captured during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. Footage from the handover stage in Khan Younis showed Hamas militants presenting Horn with an hourglass and a photo of another Israeli hostage, with the message "time is running out."

Despite the exchange, tensions remain high, particularly following Trump’s controversial proposal for Palestinian resettlement and U.S. control over Gaza’s redevelopment. The suggestion has been widely rejected by Palestinian groups, Arab states, and Western allies.

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