Hostages released today as part of a tense ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The latest exchange saw three Israeli hostages, including an American citizen, return home while Israel freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Sagui Dekel-Chen, an Israeli-American dual national, was among those freed, along with Russian-Israeli Alexander Troufanov and Israeli-Argentine Iair Horn. The three men, taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, were handed over in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Before their release, Hamas paraded the hostages on a stage with Palestinian and Hamas flags. The sign behind them read, “No migration except to Jerusalem,” in response to former President Trump’s controversial remarks on Palestinian resettlement.
Israel had vowed to eliminate Hamas after its attack killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 taken hostage. In retaliation, Israel launched a military campaign that has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
As part of a three-phase ceasefire deal starting January 19, Hamas agreed to free 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for a temporary halt in fighting, release of Palestinian prisoners, and increased humanitarian aid. Over 50 hostages remain in captivity, with some feared dead.
The fragile truce faced obstacles, with Hamas delaying the hostage handover on Tuesday, citing Israel’s blockade of medical supplies and heavy machinery. Former President Trump warned of severe consequences if the deal collapsed, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed his stance.
Netanyahu credited Trump’s intervention for forcing Hamas to proceed, stating, “We will continue working with the U.S. to free all hostages.” Hamas insisted negotiations remain the only path to further releases.
So far, hostages released today bring the total freed under the ceasefire to 24. The latest exchange offers hope, but tensions remain high as the world watches how this precarious deal unfolds.
