In a significant development, Hamas and Israel have completed the latest prisoner swap, resulting in the release of three Israeli hostages and the liberation of 369 Palestinian detainees. The exchange marks the sixth release since the truce took effect on January 19, following successful mediation efforts that prevented the collapse of the ceasefire.
Israeli hostages Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Sasha (Alexander) Troufanov were freed in Gaza on Saturday. Their liberation was met with cheers and emotional reactions at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where the community gathered to welcome them back. Dekel-Chen, a U.S.-Israeli, Troufanov, a Russian Israeli, and Horn, whose brother Eitan remains abducted, were originally seized in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas offensive on October 7, 2023.
To date, 19 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released, while 73 individuals remain in captivity, with approximately half declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities. Hamas had previously threatened to halt further releases, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire terms by blocking aid to Gaza. In retaliation, Israel has called up reservists and placed its forces on high alert.
The latest exchange follows a June agreement in which Hamas pledged to return 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. This deal was part of a six-week truce intended to pave the way for further negotiations aimed at returning the remaining hostages and facilitating the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. However, the ceasefire has been under immense pressure, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to transfer Gaza's population to Egypt or Jordan was met with widespread rejection from Arab nations.
Saudi Arabia is set to host a summit this Thursday with leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the proposed plan. Following the Riyadh summit, the Arab League will convene in Cairo on February 27 to further deliberate on the issue, reaffirming the regional commitment to rejecting the forced displacement of Gaza's residents.
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Hamas releases hostages, Palestinian prisoners freed in latest swap
cgtn.com
