Three additional Israeli hostages to be released from Gaza by Hamas
JERUSALEM—Hamas has announced the names of three Israeli hostages it will release over the weekend in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. This development indicates that the fragile Gaza ceasefire deal is holding despite recent tensions that threatened to reignite conflict.
The three men scheduled for release on Saturday are Israeli-Argentinian Iair Horn, 46; Israeli-American Sagui Dekel Chen, 36; and Israeli-Russian Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29. They were kidnapped from a heavily affected community in southern Israel during the October 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas that sparked the devastating war.
As per the terms of the ceasefire, Israel will release over 300 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the three hostages. This trade will mark the sixth such swap since the ceasefire began on January 19.
Despite concerns that the ceasefire was on the verge of collapsing, 21 hostages and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners have already been freed in the initial phase of the truce.
An Israeli government official confirmed on Friday that Israel has received the list of hostages to be released. The Hamas prisoners’ information office reported that a total of 369 Palestinians are set to be released from Israeli prisons in this exchange, with 36 serving life sentences.
Who are the hostages scheduled for release on Saturday?
Horn, Dekel Chen, and Troufanov were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 attack. The trio represents a part of the 251 individuals abducted, with 73 still believed to be in Gaza.
Concern has risen about the condition of the remaining hostages, especially after the release of three individuals last Saturday who appeared emaciated and frail.
Trump’s plan raises uncertainty
President Trump’s proposal to relocate about 2 million Palestinians from Gaza to other regions has created further uncertainty about the future of the ceasefire. This plan has been supported by Israel but fiercely opposed by Palestinians and Arab nations.
Trump’s vision involves transferring control of Gaza to the United States after the war ends for redevelopment as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing allies are already calling for renewed conflict with the aim of dismantling Hamas and implementing Trump’s plan.
Given these circumstances, Hamas may be hesitant to release more hostages if it anticipates a resumption of hostilities. The captives currently represent one of its few bargaining tools.
By Julia Frankel
