Israel announces release of three hostages under Gaza ceasefire deal

Israel has confirmed the names of three hostages set to be released on Saturday as part of the ongoing exchange under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Palestinian militants will release American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, Russian-Israeli Alexandre Troufanov, and Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn, marking the sixth round of hostage and prisoner exchanges since the ceasefire took effect last month.

Following their release, Israel is expected to free 369 Palestinian prisoners, according to Hamas’ Prisoner Media Office.

Troufanov, who was 27 at the time of his capture, was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. He was kidnapped alongside his grandmother, mother, and girlfriend, all of whom have since been released. His father was killed during the attack. Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the group responsible for his abduction, has previously released videos of him in captivity.

Dekel-Chen, 35, was taken while attempting to defend his kibbutz from Hamas attackers. His wife, Avital, was pregnant at the time, and their third daughter was born during his captivity, turning one in December.

Horn, now 46, was also abducted from Nir Oz alongside his brother, Eitan, who remains in captivity.

The announcement follows a dispute between Hamas and Israel regarding the ceasefire terms. Hamas initially stated it would not proceed with Saturday’s planned hostage release, citing Israeli violations. However, the disagreement was resolved on Thursday, allowing the exchange to proceed.

Adding to the complexity, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested scrapping the multi-stage ceasefire agreement in favor of an ultimatum demanding Hamas release all hostages at once. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Trump’s stance but did not fully commit to it. Instead, he issued a statement declaring that if three live hostages were not freed by noon on Saturday, Israel would resume intense military operations against Hamas.

Former hostage Keith Siegel, released two weeks ago, issued a plea to President Trump on Friday, urging further action. “I was held for 484 days in unimaginable conditions, and every single day felt like it could be my last. President Trump, you are the reason I am home alive. Please bring them home,” Siegel said in a video message.

Another recently released hostage, Or Levy, visited Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, emphasizing that many remain in dire conditions. “I still have many brothers and sisters in the hell of Gaza, and their time is running out,” Levy said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which facilitates the exchanges, has voiced concern over the well-being of the remaining hostages, emphasizing the need for immediate access to them. “The latest release operations reinforce the urgent need for ICRC access to those held hostage,” the organization stated, calling for all transfers to be conducted with dignity and safety.

Both Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners have reported harsh treatment during their captivity and release. Israel has condemned the way Hamas has presented hostage releases, often parading them before large crowds as part of a public display. The last group of released hostages appeared frail and undernourished, which Israeli officials labeled as “shocking.”

Meanwhile, Palestinian prisoners released by Israel have also reported mistreatment. One former detainee, Rula Hassanein, claimed she and others were forced to watch Israeli propaganda videos for hours before their release. The Israel Prison Service denied awareness of these allegations.

Thus far, 16 of the 33 Israeli hostages scheduled for release in this phase of the agreement have been freed, along with five Thai nationals. In return, Israel has released 656 Palestinian prisoners from an agreed-upon list of nearly 2,000.

As tensions persist and political pressures mount, the ceasefire remains precarious. Whether this latest exchange will lead to a lasting resolution or renewed conflict remains to be seen.