Argentinian – Israeli Iair Horn, the released hostage, has been held in Gaza since the deadly attack on October 7, 2023, as part of the ceasefire, hostage prisoners traded between Hamas and Israel, Leave the helicopter in the Sourasky Medical Center. February 15, 2025, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Ronen Zvulun | Reuters
Hamas-led militants released three male Israeli hostages on Saturday, and Israeli forces released hundreds of prisoners, with the latest signs of a fragile ceasefire that had been involved in recent days.
Militants in the southern Gaza Strip elected three hostages – 46-year-old Iair Horn, dual citizen of Israel and Argentina; United States – Israel Sagui Dekel Chen, 36; 29-year-old Russia – Israel Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov – Posted before the crowd. They were taken to Israel to reunite with their families and were medically evaluated at the hospital.
Everyone was kidnapped Kibbutz Nir Oz, a tough community On October 7, 2023, the attack sparked a war. They looked pale and worn, but seemed to be in better health than the three men released last Saturday, who emerged from a 16-month prison.
one Tenses Controversy The nearly four weeks of truce has endangered in recent days and threatened to renew the battle.
The controversial proposal made by U.S. President Donald Trump aims to evacuate more than 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and settle elsewhere in the region, with greater doubts about the future of the ceasefire.
But Hamas said Thursday go ahead More hostages were released after talks with Egyptian and Kathari officials. The group said mediators have committed to “removing all obstacles” to ensure that Israel brings more tents, medical supplies and other essentials into Gaza.
As with previous exchanges, the hostage release was choreographed extensively, and the captives walked up to the stage and spoke to the microphone in front of the crowd. Dozens of masked armed Hamas fighters lined up near the stage, filled with Palestinian flags and banners of armed factions.
In Tel Aviv, cheers were thrilling as the hostages were transferred to the Red Cross. “Iair, Sagui and Sasha are on the way home!” said the announcer.
In return for the hostage release, Israel began to release 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
A bus carrying the first prisoners arrived in the occupied West Bank town of Beitunia and was cheered by cheering relatives and supporters. Some people have appeared, the Palestinian Red Crescent Emergency Service said four are immediately treated.
Released Palestinian prisoners’ gestures were released from the bus as part of the hostage prisoner exchange after Israel was released, and a ceasefire in Gaza between Hamas and Israel on February 15, 2025 Agreement, Khan in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Hatem Khaled | Reuters
Most of the released people were transported to Gaza, where a group greeted them in Khan Younis, the same town where the hostages were released several hours ago.
This is the sixth transaction since the ceasefire came into effect on January 19. 21 hostages More than 730 Palestinian prisoner exist The first phase of the armistice.
Who are the free hostages and prisoners?
Horn was kidnapped with his brother Eitan Horn, who had been with him at the time. Eitan, 37, is still in captivity and is not on the list of hostages expected to be released during the first phase of the ceasefire.
“Now, we can breathe a little bit. Our Iair is back home after surviving Gaza,” his family said in a statement. “Now, we need to bring Eitan back, So that our family can really breathe.”
Dekel Chen has been working outside when militants stormed into Kibbutz. His pregnant wife, Avital Dekel Chen, hid in a safe room with her two daughters. Two months later, she gave birth to their third daughter. She spoke to Israeli media on Saturday, and she said she was overwhelmed to see Sagui in Israel, where he would see his youngest daughter Shachar for the first time.
Troufanov’s father was killed in the October 7 attack and he was taken hostage along with his grandmother, mother and girlfriend. The three women were released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023. Trufanov was told shortly after his release that his father died and was reunited with his family shortly after, who said they were “full of emotion and gratitude” as he crossed Israeli territory.
The released Palestinian prisoners include 36 sentenced to life imprisonment for alleged fatal attacks on Israelis.
Most prominently is Ahmed Barghouti, 48, a close aide to radical leaders and iconic Palestinian politicians Marwan Barghouti.
Israel sentenced Ahmed Barghouti to life, accusing that he sent suicide bombers in the second uprising or Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s to carry out attacks killing Israeli civilians. He was arrested in 2002 along with Marwan Barghouti.
Abroad, twenty-four sentenced to life imprisonment will be exiled, while 12 return to the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The other 333 people were sent back to Gaza and were detained from there. As part of the ceasefire, Israel has pledged to release more than 1,000 people in detained Gaza in the October 7 attack.
Pay attention to the situation of the other hostages very high
Of the 251 people kidnapped in the October 7 attack, 73 remained in Gaza, about half of which were believed to be dead. Almost all the remaining hostages were men, including Israeli soldiers.
People have been paying attention to their situation, especially after three games released last Saturday, Looks thin and vulnerable.
One of them, 65 years old Keith Siegelin a video message to Trump Friday, said his kidnappers treated him worse because 15 months of war intensified, kicking him, vomiting on him, and having no water or light.
The truce is still very fragile
In recent days, the ceasefire appears to be dangerously close to collapse.
Hamas has said that this will delay the release of hostages in the event of accusing Israel of not allowing enough shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment to clean up rubble. Israel said it will resume Saturday’s fight unless the hostages are released.
Although the immediate crisis may have been avoided, the truce face A bigger challenge The first phase of the deal will end in early March. There has been no substantive negotiations in the second phase, where Hamas will release all remaining hostages in exchange for the war.
At its peak, combat displaced 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million. Since then, when the ceasefire continues, thousands of people have returned to their homes Many people find rubbleburied human remains and unexploded ordnance.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the war killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children, not to say how many fighters there were. Israel said it has killed more than 17,000 militants, but provided no evidence.
Trump’s plan adds uncertainty
Trump’s proposal to evacuate about 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and settle elsewhere in the region Putting the future of the truce in further doubt.
This idea Welcomed by the Israeli government. But Palestinian and Arab states strongly rejected it. Human rights groups say this may constitute War crimes under international law.
Trump proposed that once the battle is over, Israel will transfer control of Gaza to the United States and then redevelop it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies have called for a resumption of the war after the first phase with the aim of destroying Hamas and implementing Trump’s plans. Radical Organization Still controlling territory After survival One of the deadliest and most destructive Military movement in recent history.
Hamas may be reluctant to release more hostages if he believes the war will resume. The captive is one of its only bargaining chips left.
