Hamas has disclosed the names of three hostages who are scheduled to be released on Saturday as part of an exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. This announcement comes amid rising concerns regarding the stability of the ongoing ceasefire.
Details of the hostages and ceasefire implications
The three individuals identified for release are Russian-Israeli Alexander Troufanov, Argentine-Israeli Yair Horn, and US-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen. In response to this development, Israel has issued a warning, stating that it will resume military operations if the trio is not released punctually. This warning follows Hamas’s claims that it is delaying the releases due to alleged violations of the ceasefire by Israel.
Former President Trump has weighed in on the situation, asserting that the ceasefire should be terminated if Hamas fails to release all hostages by midday on Saturday.
Background on hostages and ceasefire progress
Since the ceasefire commenced on January 19, a total of 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been freed in exchange for 566 Palestinian prisoners. The first six-week phase of the ceasefire is expected to facilitate the release of 33 hostages in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian detainees in Israel. This conflict was ignited by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 48,230 individuals have died as a result of the Israeli offensive since the outbreak of hostilities. Currently, 73 hostages taken on October 7 remain in captivity in Gaza, alongside three additional Israeli hostages—one of whom is deceased—who have been held for a decade or more.
All three hostages set for release, Alexander Troufanov (29), Yair Horn (46), and Sagui Dekel-Chen (36), were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz situated near the Gaza border.
The ceasefire has faced significant strain since its initiation, with both parties engaging in reciprocal actions in response to perceived violations. Intense mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have thus far managed to prevent the ceasefire from collapsing completely.
Israel has expressed particular frustration over the manner in which hostages have been released, noting that the process has involved public displays alongside armed militants in front of onlookers, before delivery to the Red Cross in chaotic circumstances.
Conversely, Hamas has accused Israel of obstructing the flow of necessary tents and aid supplies into Gaza as stipulated by the ceasefire agreement, a claim that Israel denies.
In related developments, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released footage they claim shows a rocket launched from Gaza towards Israel on Thursday. The IDF stated that the rocket malfunctioned and landed within Gaza territory. However, a source within the Hamas-run police suggested the rocket was an unexploded Israeli ordinance that had discharged while being transported.
Additionally, a Palestinian news agency based in the West Bank reported that a 14-year-old boy, Hammoudeh Alaa Saud, was killed the same day by what was described as Israeli ordnance that exploded in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp.