In the latest exchange under a tenuous cease-fire agreement, Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday, including an American-Israeli dual citizen. In return, Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners. The swap marks the sixth such exchange since the cease-fire began and provides a temporary reprieve in the ongoing conflict.
The Exchange Details
The three Israeli civilians—Sasha Troufanov, 29; Iair Horn, 46; and Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36—were among those abducted from the border village of Nir Oz during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. They appeared in relatively stable condition, though visibly thinner and paler than before their capture.
Upon their release in Khan Younis, Hamas forced them to stand on a stage and deliver statements in Hebrew under a backdrop featuring portraits of the group’s leaders. Armed militants from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad stood nearby, some carrying Israeli weapons in what seemed to be a choreographed display. Unlike in a previous exchange, where captives were compelled to thank their captors, this release did not include such demands.
Meanwhile, Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners, including 36 individuals serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis. The first group of released prisoners arrived in Ramallah, where they were handed jackets to cover sweatshirts they had been made to wear before release. These sweatshirts bore an Arabic phrase translating to: “We shall neither forget nor forgive.”
Cease-Fire Under Strain
This exchange helps sustain the fragile cease-fire, though tensions remain high. Earlier in the week, Hamas threatened to delay the hostage release, accusing Israel of failing to uphold its commitments, including the delivery of adequate humanitarian aid such as tents and construction materials. In response, Israel warned of resuming military operations if Hamas did not comply with the agreed-upon schedule.
By Friday, both sides indicated that the dispute had been resolved, at least temporarily. However, the broader future of the cease-fire remains uncertain.
Next Steps and Lingering Uncertainties
The cease-fire deal was structured in phases, with the next stage aimed at negotiating an end to the war, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of all remaining hostages. However, progress on these negotiations has stalled.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that Israel will not end the war until Hamas is removed from power in Gaza, a position that could put his right-wing coalition at risk should he concede. Conversely, Hamas has refused to relinquish control of Gaza or release all hostages without securing key concessions.
Currently, 33 Israeli hostages have been released under the agreement. If the deal collapses, approximately 60 more captives—many believed to be deceased—would remain in Gaza.
Concerns Over Release Conditions
The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern over how both sides have handled the prisoner and hostage exchanges. While the Red Cross has repeatedly urged for dignified and private transfers, public displays and forced statements have marred the process. Hamas has staged humiliating release ceremonies, while Israel has also been criticized for its handling of Palestinian prisoner releases.
U.S. Involvement and Netanyahu’s Next Moves
Adding to the pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that “all hell” would break loose unless the remaining hostages were freed by Saturday, contradicting the staggered release process established in the cease-fire agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to meet with security chiefs at 7 p.m. local time to discuss the evolving situation. Although his office did not disclose the meeting’s agenda, its timing coincides with Trump’s deadline, raising speculation about potential policy shifts. The U.S. has reiterated its support for Israel’s decisions moving forward.
As the cease-fire remains in place, albeit tenuously, all eyes are now on the next phase of negotiations and whether both sides can agree on terms that prevent a return to full-scale conflict.