ISLAMABAD: Three Israeli hostages—Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Sasha (Alexander) Troufanov—were released in Gaza on Saturday after mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar helped prevent a standoff that could have jeopardized the fragile ceasefire.
The hostages were led onto a stage in Khan Younis, flanked by armed militants. Their release is part of an agreement involving the exchange of 369 Palestinian prisoners, easing concerns that the truce might collapse before its 42-day duration is completed.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, the news of their release sparked cheers and relief, as the three appeared in better condition than those freed earlier, who looked emaciated and weak. Dekel-Chen holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, while Troufanov is a Russian-Israeli. All three were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community severely affected by Hamas’s October 7 attack, which left one in four residents dead or abducted.
Troufanov was taken hostage along with his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend, who were previously freed during a November 2023 truce, while his father was killed during the attack. Hamas fighters at the release site were seen carrying rifles reportedly seized from the Israeli military during the October 7 assault.
Ceasefire at Risk Over Aid Dispute
Hamas had earlier threatened to halt further hostage releases, accusing Israel of blocking humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza. In response, Israel denied the claim, stating that thousands of aid trucks had entered but accusing Hamas of reneging on the agreement.
The ceasefire, initially designed to facilitate a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, has also been overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion of relocating Gazans outside the enclave—an idea widely condemned by Palestinian factions, Arab nations, and Western allies.
Ongoing Crisis in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with food, water, and electricity shortages persisting. While international aid groups confirm that more trucks have entered since the ceasefire began, they warn that current supplies are still insufficient to meet the needs of the displaced population.
Israel launched its military offensive in response to Hamas’s October 7 attack, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, leaving much of the region in ruins and millions homeless.
Hamas Mocks Trump on Release Stage
During the hostage handover in Khan Younis, Hamas displayed banners in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. One slogan, “No migration except to Jerusalem,” appeared to mock Trump’s relocation proposal, while another, “We Crossed Over Swiftly,” referenced Hamas’s October 7 attack.
Despite ongoing tensions, Hamas has committed to releasing 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of the six-week truce, though concerns remain over Israel’s next moves and Hamas’s adherence to the deal.
