ReutersHamas has freed three Israeli hostages in trade for the discharge of Palestinian prisoners, within the newest swap beneath the ceasefire agreed by Israel and the militant group final month.
The three hostages handed over on Saturday are American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, Argentinian-Israeli Yair Horn, 46, and Russian-Israeli Alexander Troufanov, 29.
In return, 369 Palestinians held in Israeli jails have been launched.
Thus far 19 hostages held in Gaza and over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners have been freed as a part of the Gaza ceasefire that started on 19 January 2025.
By the tip of the primary six-week stage of the deal, 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are anticipated to have been freed.
On Saturday, within the sixth swap since final month, Israeli hostages have been handed over in Khan Younis within the southern Gaza Strip.
Surrounded by closely armed Hamas militants, the lads briefly addressed a crowd of Palestinians earlier than being transferred into Crimson Cross automobiles.
They didn’t look as gaunt because the hostages freed every week earlier – their look had aroused anger in Israel and elsewhere.
The three males have been airlifted by army helicopters to a hospital in central Israel the place they may endure medical checks and be reunited with relations.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, posting on social media, mentioned the hostages had been “compelled to endure” a “despicable and cynical ceremony”.
In a social media submit, Defence Minister Israel Katz mentioned Israel would proceed to work with the US to “make sure that all hostages return to Israel quickly”.
The vast majority of the freed Palestinians have been taken to Gaza, though some have been taken to the West Financial institution. In each areas, crowds gathered to welcome the previous prisoners.
The Palestinian Crimson Crescent Society instructed the BBC that 5 of these launched within the West Financial institution metropolis of Ramallah have been taken straight to hospital.
“All of them have persistent diseases,” mentioned Mohammad Faqih, an official from the Palestinian Crimson Crescent Society, including that one man had a damaged leg.
A lot of the 36 Palestinians serving life sentences will reportedly be deported to Egypt.
ReutersEarlier this week, Hamas threatened to delay the hostage launch after accusing Israel of violating the phrases of the settlement, one thing Israel denied.
Israel, backed by US President Donald Trump, mentioned “intense” combating would resume until the hostages have been handed over.
The newest releases imply that beneath the ceasefire, Hamas is because of free one other 14 hostages.
Nonetheless Israel says eight are of them are lifeless, which means six dwelling Israelis are nonetheless anticipated to be returned within the first part.
A complete of 141 hostages have now been freed, together with 81 Israelis and 24 overseas nationals launched as a part of a earlier deal between Israel and Hamas.
About 1,200 individuals have been killed and 251 taken again to Gaza as hostages when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023.
This triggered a large Israeli army offensive in Gaza, which has killed greater than 48,000 Palestinians, the Hamas-run well being ministry says.