Hamas, Israel complete sixth hostage-prisoner swap under Gaza truce

Three Israeli hostages were freed Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released by Israel, marking the completion of the latest swap despite growing fears that the Gaza truce deal could collapse.

An AFP journalist witnessed masked Hamas gunmen escorting the hostages onto a stage in Khan Yunis, Gaza’s southern city. The hostages, who made statements into a microphone, were handed over to the Red Cross and taken back to Israeli territory.

Clutching gift bags and certificates marking their release, the three men, flanked by armed fighters, called for more hostage exchanges under the ceasefire agreement.

Shortly after, a bus carrying Palestinian prisoners departed from Israel’s Ofer Prison, greeted by cheering crowds in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, an AFP journalist reported. Other buses brought inmates from a Negev desert prison to Gaza, according to additional AFP reporting.

Saturday's exchange, the sixth since the ceasefire began on January 19, came after Hamas threatened to suspend releases over alleged Israeli violations. Israel had warned it would resume military action if that happened.

Hamas escorts Israeli-American hotsage Sagui Dekel-Chen onto a stage in Khan Yunis before handing him over to the Red Cross. AFP

The three hostages — Israeli-American Sagui Dekel-Chen, Israeli-Russian Sasha Trupanov, and Israeli-Argentine Yair Horn — had been captured during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which ignited the 16-month conflict.

Friends and family of the freed hostages wept with joy upon seeing their loved ones. "Finally, Sasha can be surrounded by his loved ones and begin a new path," said Trupanov’s family in a statement.

Dekel-Chen’s wife, Avital, appeared on Israeli public broadcaster Kan and said, "My breath has returned. He looks so handsome."

Next phase

Later, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners arrived in Khan Yunis, waving victory signs and greeting an ecstatic crowd, an AFP reporter said.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club, Israel was set to release 333 Gazans detained during the war, along with 36 prisoners serving life sentences. The truce deal required 24 of these prisoners to be deported.

Israel confirmed it released 369 prisoners in total.

Images aired by Israeli media showed Palestinian prisoners in sweatshirts bearing the prison service logo and the Star of David, along with the slogan, "We will not forget and we will not forgive."

Hamas officials said Friday that, after the agreement appeared to be faltering, talks on a second phase of the ceasefire would start early next week. A source familiar with the discussions confirmed a similar timeline.

The second phase is intended to outline steps toward a lasting end to the war.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose country is Israel's primary ally and one of the mediators in the truce, was expected to arrive in Israel late Saturday for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the ceasefire.

The Israeli campaign group, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged parties to "continue to use this momentum" to finalize a swift and responsible agreement for the remaining hostages.

'Welcome back'

In Tel Aviv, a crowd gathered to watch a live feed of the exchange, holding Israeli flags and posters reading "Sorry and welcome back" and "Complete the ceasefire."

Last week’s release sparked anger after freed hostages were paraded onstage in an emaciated state, raising concerns about their captivity. Concerns also grew for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody after several were hospitalized following their release.

The Red Crescent said four of those released on Saturday were transferred to a hospital in the West Bank.

The ceasefire has been strained since U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a plan to transfer Gaza’s population of more than two million people to Egypt or Jordan.

Arab nations have rejected Trump’s proposal. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE are set to host a summit on Thursday to discuss the issue.

A joint statement from Jerusalem's Christian leaders also said Gazans "must not be forced into exile."

Israel’s office said after Saturday's release that it was working with the U.S. to free the remaining hostages "as quickly as possible," though no specifics were given.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023, the Hamas attack has killed over 48,000 people, created a massive humanitarian crisis, and widespread displacement.

Hamas’ cross-border raid into Israeli territory claimed 1,200 lives. It also took more than 250 people captive.