Jerusalem, Feb 15 (EFE).- After days of uncertainty and Hamas’ threat to suspend the latest exchange over alleged Israeli ceasefire violations, the Palestinian Islamist group and Israel carried out the sixth hostage-prisoner swap on Saturday.
Hamas released three Israeli captives, while Israel freed more than 360 Palestinian prisoners.
This marks the sixth exchange under the ceasefire deal reached on Jan. 15, bringing the total to 24 hostages, 19 Israelis and five Thais, freed from Gaza, and 985 Palestinians released from Israeli prisons. Unlike previous swaps, this one proceeded without major incidents.
Hamas releases three hostages in Gaza
The three hostages, Israeli-Argentine Iair Horn, Russian-Israeli Alexander Trufanov, and American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, were freed in a ceremony in the war-torn city of Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
A banner at the site read, “There will be no migration, except to Jerusalem,” a reference to US President Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate Gazans.
During the handover, militants symbolically gave one of the hostages a sand timer addressed to their families, warning, “Time is running out.”
Before being transferred to the Red Cross, the captives were given microphones and urged in Hebrew for all phases of the truce to be honored.
The swap nearly collapsed earlier in the week when Hamas accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations, particularly regarding aid deliveries to Gaza.
Trump then issued a stark warning, vowing “hell” in Gaza if Hamas did not release “all” hostages by noon Washington time on Saturday. Israel neither confirmed nor denied backing Trump’s threat.
Israel releases 369 Palestinian prisoners
Shortly after the hostages entered Israeli territory, 369 Palestinian prisoners were freed. The released prisoners arrived by bus at the European Hospital in Rafah.
Seven buses, escorted by Red Cross vehicles, entered Gaza through the Karam Abu Salem crossing from Israeli territory, making their way through the war-ravaged city of Rafah.
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered outside the hospital to welcome the prisoners, who were expected to undergo medical checks and identity verification.
Of the 369 freed prisoners, 333 were sent to Gaza, 11 were released in the West Bank and Jerusalem, while 25 were deported to Egypt for transfer to other countries.
Hundreds of Palestinians welcomed the prisoners at the hospital in Khan Younis and in Ramallah, carrying them on their shoulders and chanting slogans.
Israeli authorities had dressed the prisoners in T-shirts featuring a blue Star of David and the phrase “We will neither forget nor forgive” in Arabic.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad condemned this as a “racist crime,” and some released detainees were seen burning the shirts upon arrival in Gaza, as broadcast by Al Jazeera.
What’s next?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited Trump’s pressure for Hamas’ compliance, while Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israeli troops in Gaza remain “fully deployed and prepared for any scenario.”
Meanwhile, Hamas called on Israel to begin negotiations “without delay” for the second phase of the ceasefire, scheduled to start on March 1.
Under the initial phase, Hamas committed to releasing 33 hostages (both alive and deceased), including all women and children, 19 of whom have now been freed—along with five Thais, who were not part of the original agreement. EFE
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