3 Israeli hostages released, 369 Palestinians freed

15/2/2025 17:01

Israeli hostages Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Sasha Troufanov arrived at a release site in Gaza on Saturday after Egyptian and Qatari mediators helped avert a standoff that threatened to sink a fragile ceasefire.



The three were led onto a stage with militants armed with automatic rifles standing on each side of them at the site in Khan Younis, live footage showed.



The three are being returned in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, a swap which eases fears that the agreement could collapse before the end of a 42-day ceasefire.



In what has become known as Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, people broke into cheers and tears when they heard the Red Cross was on its way to deliver the three to Israeli forces in Gaza.



They appeared relieved to see the three were in apparently better condition than another three freed last week who appeared emaciated and weak.



Hamas had earlier threatened not to release more hostages after it accused Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire by blocking aid from entering Gaza, drawing counterthreats of a resumption of fighting from Israel, which called up reservists and placed its forces on high alert.