Three Hostages Released as Ceasefire Deal Holds Amid Ongoing Conflict

CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Feb. 15 (Reuters) – Israeli hostages Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Sasha (Alexander) Troufanov were freed on Saturday as part of a complex hostage-prisoner swap agreement between Hamas and Israel, allowing for the continuation of a fragile ceasefire. The handover took place in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, amid growing concerns over the stability of the ceasefire initiated on January 19, 2025.

The three hostages were escorted onto a stage by armed members of Hamas, who stood guard with automatic weapons. Footage captured at the event showed the men being presented in surprisingly good health compared to other hostages released previously, who appeared emaciated. Shortly after the handover, buses carrying 369 Palestinian detainees left Ofer jail in the West Bank, arriving in Ramallah to a jubilant crowd waving Palestinian flags.

This latest exchange marks a critical development in the ongoing negotiations between the two sides, with fears that the ceasefire agreement could unravel before it was intended to conclude. The agreement allows for the release of hostages including women and children in return for a significant number of Palestinian detainees, both those held without trial and those convicted of attacks against Israelis.

Delegates from various countries mediated the negotiations to prevent the collapse of the ceasefire, which has been in place for 42 days. In Tel Aviv‘s Hostage Square, the news of the three hostages’ release incited cheers and tears, reflecting the deep emotional burden felt by families affected by the prolonged conflict. Residents of Israeli communities near the Gaza border rallied, waving flags in support of the returning hostages.

Hamas, during the handover, presented Iair Horn, one of the hostages, with an hourglass and a photograph of another Israeli still held captive in Gaza. The photograph bore the inscription, ‘Time is running out.’ Troufanov’s story is particularly poignant; he was captured alongside his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend during a violent assault on Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. His father perished in that attack, which saw a significant number of residents taken hostage.

Leading up to Saturday’s exchange, the ongoing hostilities left a devastating toll. Over 48,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in the military conflict since October, which was sparked by a coordinated attack from Hamas that killed around 1,200 Israelis. Despite the official channels for negotiation, Hamas had previously threatened not to release additional hostages after claiming Israel violated ceasefire terms by obstructing aid flow into Gaza.

The physical and mental toll of captivity was notably observed in the liberated hostages. Horn’s family remarked, ‘Now we can breathe a little. Our Iair is home after surviving hell in Gaza.’ Supporters have emphasized the urgent need to secure the release of the remaining hostages, with approximately 73 still unaccounted for, and many families living in fear for their loved ones’ safety.

Palestinian prisoners being released include individuals who have been held in connection with attacks against Israelis, while many were detained during the current conflict. Following Horn’s release, his family eagerly anticipates reuniting with him as he prepares to meet his youngest daughter for the first time.

The tentative peace has been bolstered by coordinated efforts among international allies, with U.S. officials engaging closely in the negotiations. However, disagreements persist, highlighted by a controversial proposal from President Donald Trump that suggests relocating the entire Palestinian population—a stance that has drawn sharp rebuke from Palestinian factions and Arab states.

The situation remains fluid, with Israeli officials continuing to make arrangements for the medical assessment of the released hostages and strategizing the next phases of the negotiations aimed at securing the release of all remaining individuals still held in captivity.