Palestinian militants released three Israeli hostages on Saturday, February 15, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel, completing the sixth exchange under the Gaza truce amid concerns about the ceasefire’s stability.
An AFP journalist witnessed masked Hamas gunmen presenting the hostages on a stage in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, where they were made to speak before being handed over to the Red Cross for transport to Israeli territory. The hostages, who carried gift bags and certificates, urged further exchanges as part of the truce.
Shortly after, a bus carrying Palestinian prisoners departed Israel’s Ofer Prison and was welcomed by crowds in Ramallah, according to AFP. Additional buses brought prisoners from a Negev prison to Gaza.
This swap, the sixth since the truce began on January 19, followed Hamas’s threats to halt releases over alleged Israeli violations and Israel’s warnings of resuming military actions if the truce failed.
The freed hostages—Israeli-American Sagui Dekel-Chen, Israeli-Russian Sasha Trupanov, and Israeli-Argentine Yair Horn—had been held since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which sparked the conflict. Their families expressed relief and joy at their return.
In Gaza’s Khan Yunis, hundreds of freed Palestinians arrived to cheering crowds. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club reported that Israel released 333 Gazans detained during the war and 36 serving life sentences, with 24 slated for deportation under the truce. Israel confirmed 369 releases.
Palestinian prisoners wore sweatshirts marked with Israel’s prison service logo, a Star of David, and the slogan “We will not forget and we will not forgive,” according to images in Israeli media.
Hamas announced plans to begin talks on the second phase of the ceasefire next week, aimed at securing a more permanent end to hostilities. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, representing Israel’s key ally, was set to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the truce.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel urged negotiators to maintain momentum, stressing the need to secure freedom for all remaining hostages. In Tel Aviv, a crowd gathered to watch the exchange live, waving Israeli flags and holding signs like “Sorry and welcome back” and “Complete the ceasefire.”
Concerns persist over the condition of hostages and prisoners. The emaciated appearance of Israeli hostages last week drew outrage, while some Palestinians released from Israeli custody required hospitalization, according to the Red Crescent.
The ceasefire is under additional strain due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s population to Egypt or Jordan, which Arab nations have condemned. Saudi Arabia plans to host a summit on February 13 with leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE. Christian leaders in Jerusalem also issued a statement rejecting the forced relocation of Gazans.
Hamas’s October 7 attack resulted in 1,211 deaths, mostly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages. Seventy hostages remain in Gaza, with 35 believed dead, according to Israeli officials.
Following Saturday’s release, Netanyahu’s office confirmed ongoing U.S.-assisted efforts to free the remaining hostages but provided no further details. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has claimed at least 48,264 lives in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which the UN recognizes as a reliable source.
