As part of a fragile ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed three more hostages on Saturday in exchange for the release of over 300 Palestinian prisoners.
The released hostages were identified as Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov (29, Israeli and Russian citizen), Sagui Dekel-Chen (36, American-Israeli citizen), and Yair Horn (46, Israeli and Argentinian citizen).
Hamas had abducted the trio from Kibbutz Nir Oz during their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered the now-ceasefire conflict.
The Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli prisons under the terms of the sensitive ceasefire agreement, which remains in effect despite U.S. President Trump’s warning that “all hell is going to break out” if Hamas fails to release all remaining hostages this week. Trump has also stated his intention for the U.S. to acquire Gaza and relocate Palestinians.
Approximately 70 hostages remain in Hamas’s possession. Almost all remaining hostages, including Israeli soldiers, are male, and about half are presumed dead.
The first phase of the ceasefire involved the release of 24 hostages and over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. This initial phase included Hamas releasing 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Failure to reach an agreement on the more complex second phase, which requires Hamas to release all remaining hostages and an indefinite ceasefire extension, could lead to a resumption of hostilities.