Updated Story: Israel and Hamas Complete Sixth Hostage Swap \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israel and Hamas completed their sixth hostage-prisoner exchange under a fragile ceasefire agreement. The deal almost fell apart over disputes regarding humanitarian aid into Gaza, but mediators Egypt and Qatar helped resolve the standoff. Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas released three Israeli hostages. Uncertainty looms over the next phase of negotiations, as the truce is set to expire in early March, and no agreement has been reached on the release of remaining hostages or a potential extension of the ceasefire.
Israel and Hamas Hostage Swap: Quick Looks
- Ceasefire Holds After Tense Negotiations: The latest hostage-prisoner exchange almost collapsed over humanitarian aid disputes, but Egypt and Qatar mediated a resolution.
- Hostage Release Completed: Hamas freed three Israeli hostages, including an Argentinian-Israeli, an American-Israeli, and a Russian-Israeli.
- Palestinian Prisoners Return Home: Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners, with 333 sent to Gaza and the rest returning to the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
- Emotional Reunions and Celebrations: Freed Palestinians were met with cheers in Gaza and the West Bank, while Israeli hostages reunited with their families after months in captivity.
- U.S. Diplomatic Push: Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel as Washington seeks to influence the next phase of ceasefire negotiations.
- Trump’s Controversial Comments: U.S. President Donald Trump falsely claimed Israel had a hostage release deadline, while his proposal to resettle Gaza’s Palestinians sparked global backlash.
- Hamas Fighters Stage Public Release: Before handing over hostages, Hamas militants paraded them before cameras, highlighting their use of captives as political leverage.
- Ceasefire Remains Fragile: With two weeks left in the truce, the war could resume in early March if no agreement is reached on the second phase of negotiations.
Deep Look
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remained intact Saturday as the two sides completed their sixth exchange of hostages and prisoners. The process was nearly derailed over humanitarian aid disputes, but last-minute mediation by Egypt and Qatar ensured that the agreement continued.
Under the latest swap, Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas freed three Israeli hostages, identified as Iair Horn, 46 (Argentinian-Israeli); Sagui Dekel Chen, 36 (American-Israeli); and Alexander Troufanov, 29 (Russian-Israeli). The three had been held captive since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which ignited the ongoing war in Gaza.
This exchange comes as the first phase of the ceasefire agreement nears its scheduled end on March 3. The next stage—if agreed upon—would involve the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza and a possible indefinite extension of the truce. However, deep divisions remain between the two sides, and the prospect of renewed fighting looms large.
Diplomatic Push as U.S. Secretary of State Arrives in Israel
As negotiations enter a critical phase, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday for a Mideast tour, coinciding with the latest hostage-prisoner exchange. His visit comes amid controversy over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle Gaza’s Palestinian population elsewhere in the region and redevelop the territory under U.S. oversight. The plan has been strongly rejected by Palestinians and Arab nations, further complicating peace efforts.
Rubio is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently held talks with Trump at the White House. His arrival in Tel Aviv underscores Washington’s efforts to influence the next steps in the Gaza conflict, especially as the ceasefire agreement enters its final weeks.
Argentina and Russia Welcome Hostage Releases
The release of Argentinian-Israeli hostage Iair Horn was met with relief in Buenos Aires, where Argentinian President Javier Milei credited U.S. mediation for the outcome. Horn’s wife gave birth while he was in captivity, making his return an emotional moment for the family.
Russia’s ambassador to Qatar, Dmitry Dogadkin, also welcomed the release of Alexander Troufanov, confirming that Russia had directly intervened to secure his inclusion in the first phase of the exchange agreement.
Meanwhile, Chen’s wife, Avital, shared that their daughters had asked every Saturday whether their father would come home. Now, he will meet his youngest daughter for the first time, as she was born while he was held captive in Gaza.
Celebrations in the West Bank and Gaza as Palestinian Prisoners Return
The 369 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel were met with mass celebrations in both the West Bank and Gaza.
In the West Bank town of Beitunia, relatives and supporters gathered outside a Red Cross transport, cheering as prisoners stepped off the bus. Many had been imprisoned for years, with sentences ranging from rock-throwing protests to serious militant offenses.
One released prisoner, Hassan Aweis, 47, had been jailed since 2002 for voluntary manslaughter and planting an explosive device. His mother, Umm Bashar, tearfully embraced him, saying:
“When I saw my son, my soul came back to me again and I came back to life.”
In Gaza, 333 of the released prisoners arrived in Khan Younis, where they were greeted with hugs, tears, and cheers. Some of them burned the prison-issued sweatshirts emblazoned with a Star of David, symbolizing their anger toward Israeli detention policies.
Despite the celebrations, many Palestinian families remain anxious about loved ones still in Israeli prisons. In the West Bank, Amani al-Khandaqji held a sign with her brother’s face, saying:
“Every time there is a prisoner release, I come to share in the joy, but I am still waiting for my brother to come home.”
Trump’s Comments and the Future of the Ceasefire
U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the hostage release, writing on social media:
“The Israeli hostages freed today seem to be in good shape. Israel will now have to decide what they will do about the 12:00 O’CLOCK, TODAY, DEADLINE imposed on the release of ALL HOSTAGES. The United States will back the decision they make!”
However, Israel has not imposed such a deadline, and it is not part of the ceasefire deal. The confusion surrounding Trump’s statement has further complicated the delicate negotiations surrounding the next phase of the truce.
Trump’s controversial proposal to resettle Gaza’s 2 million Palestinians has also drawn widespread condemnation from Palestinian and Arab leaders, as well as human rights organizations. Some far-right members of Netanyahu’s government support resuming the war, adding another layer of uncertainty to the ceasefire’s future.
Hamas Fighters Parade Hostages Before Release
As with previous exchanges, masked Hamas fighters staged a highly publicized hostage release ceremony in Khan Younis, complete with Palestinian flags and banners of various militant factions. The three Israeli hostages were paraded before cameras, underscoring Hamas’s use of captives as political leverage.
Hamas is aware that the remaining hostages are among its last bargaining chips, and its willingness to release more captives will likely depend on whether it believes the ceasefire will hold or collapse into renewed fighting.
Ceasefire Remains on the Brink
The truce between Israel and Hamas has survived multiple crises, but it remains highly fragile.
Hamas nearly halted Saturday’s exchange, claiming Israel had failed to allow sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza. The last-minute intervention by Egypt and Qatar helped get the deal back on track, but the episode highlights the precarious nature of the ceasefire.
If no new agreement is reached before March 3, fighting could resume in full force, with both sides bracing for what comes next. The Israeli government is divided, with some officials pushing for further negotiations while others advocate a return to war.
For now, the hostage-prisoner exchanges continue, but with each passing day, the possibility of renewed conflict grows stronger.
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