Hamas Names 3 Hostages for Release in Fragile Gaza Ceasefire Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Hamas announced the release of three Israeli hostages in exchange for over 300 Palestinian prisoners, as part of a fragile Gaza ceasefire. The sixth swap since the January 19 truce comes amid disputes over humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza has drawn international condemnation and could jeopardize future negotiations.
Hamas to Release 3 Israeli Hostages: Quick Looks
- Hostages Set for Release: Iair Horn (46), Sagui Dekel Chen (36), and Alexander Troufanov (29)
- Prisoner Exchange: 369 Palestinian prisoners, including 36 serving life sentences, to be freed
- Ceasefire Status: Sixth swap since January 19, with tensions over aid deliveries
- Hostages Remaining: 73 still held in Gaza, with around half presumed dead
- Humanitarian Crisis: Gaza residents face food shortages despite ceasefire
- Trump’s Proposal: U.S. to take control of Gaza and relocate 2 million Palestinians
Hamas to Release 3 Hostages in Prisoner Swap Amid Fragile Ceasefire
New Hostage Exchange to Test Ceasefire’s Strength
On Friday, Hamas confirmed the names of three Israeli hostages set for release in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, in what will be the sixth such swap under the ongoing Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The hostages are:
- Iair Horn, 46 (Israeli-Argentinian)
- Sagui Dekel Chen, 36 (Israeli-American)
- Alexander Troufanov, 29 (Israeli-Russian)
All three were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel.
In exchange, Israel has agreed to release 369 Palestinian prisoners, including 36 individuals serving life sentences.
Ceasefire Agreement Holding Despite Disputes
Since the January 19 ceasefire, a total of 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners have been freed. However, recent tensions have pushed the ceasefire to the brink of collapse.
Hamas delayed its latest release, accusing Israel of blocking humanitarian aid, including shelters, medical supplies, and fuel. Israel countered, stating that fighting could resume Saturday unless hostages were freed.
The key question: Will Israel demand the release of all remaining hostages, or just the three currently listed for release?
Who Are the Hostages Being Freed?
- Horn was kidnapped along with his brother, Eitan, who remains in captivity.
- Dekel Chen was attacked while working on a bus renovation project. His wife and daughters survived by hiding.
- Troufanov was taken alongside his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend, all of whom were released in November 2023.
The Growing Concern for Remaining Hostages
Of the 251 people originally kidnapped, 73 remain in Gaza—around half are believed dead. Most of the remaining hostages are men, including Israeli soldiers.
Concerns have intensified following the release of three hostages last Saturday, who appeared severely malnourished.
One of them, 65-year-old Keith Siegel, described his captivity in a video message directed at Trump. He claimed Hamas physically abused him, withheld water, and isolated him in darkness.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Continues
Despite the pause in fighting, Gaza’s 2.3 million residents remain in crisis.
- Food shortages persist, with many people relying on charity kitchens for meals.
- Thousands displaced by the war are living in makeshift shelters.
- Rebuilding efforts have been slow, with many homes reduced to rubble and unexploded ordnance.
“The war paused, but starvation is still ongoing,” said Um Yehia Shaheen, a Gaza resident.
Trump’s Controversial Plan for Gaza’s Future
Donald Trump’s latest proposal has added another layer of uncertainty to the ceasefire’s future.
His plan involves:
- Relocating 2 million Palestinians from Gaza to other countries in the region.
- Handing control of Gaza to the U.S. to oversee redevelopment.
- Turning Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
While Israel’s government supports the idea, Palestinians and Arab nations have vehemently rejected it. Human rights groups warn that such forced displacement could constitute a war crime under international law.
Will Fighting Resume?
With Hamas still holding dozens of hostages, it is unclear whether the group will continue releases or prepare for renewed war. Meanwhile, Israeli hardliners are already calling for the ceasefire to end.
The coming weeks will determine whether the ceasefire holds—or if Gaza plunges back into conflict.
