The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has lobbied for the return of those captured by Hamas, described the latest release of three hostages as “a moment of light in the darkness,” in a media statement shared with Newsweek.
Hamas has released three hostages captured during its rampage on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 in exchange for more than 300 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Why It Matters
The swap took place following days of uncertainty over a ceasefire in Gaza brokered after Israel’s bombardment of Gaza that was triggered after the Hamas attack on October 7 which killed some 1,200 people and saw over 250 hostages taken. The Israeli campaign killed over 48,000 people, according to The Associated Press.
Saturday’s exchange is a signal that the fragile peace deal could remain intact.
What To Know
Hamas had previously said it would not release hostages this weekend, blaming Israel for alleged violations of the the ceasefire, while Israel warned that if the hostages weren’t released by midday Saturday, it would resume attacks on Gaza.
Israeli authorities confirmed Hamas had handed over three hostages on Saturday,—Iair Horn, 46, Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, and Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29. An estimated 73 hostages remain in captivity.
Among the most prominent Palestinian prisoners to be released is Ahmed Barghouti, 48, a close aide of militant leader Marwan Barghouti.
Saturday saw the latest of five exchanges since the start of the ceasefire on January 19 in which 21 hostages held by Hamas have been returned for over 730 Palestinian prisoners during the first phase of the truce.
The Hostages Families Forum said in a statement to Newsweek on Saturday that the return of the trio “represents a moment of light in the darkness, along with a painful reminder of the urgency to bring back the 73 hostages still in Gaza.”
The statement said that the testimonies of those who have returned and signs of life show that “time has run out for the hostages” and that there must be an immediate agreement to return without delay all hostages—the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial.
The hostages’ families issued individual statements through the forum. Sasha Troufanov’s family said it was “overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude” for his return home and predicted he would face a long rehabilitation process.
Iair Horn’s family said “now, we can breathe a little. Our Iair is home after surviving hell in Gaza,” while the relatives of Dekel Chen said, “he was so far away and now he’s finally on Israeli soil, with us.”
The statement added that he will meet his daughters Gali and Bar, and for the first time meet his little daughter, Shahar, who had been born while he was in captivity.
What People Are Saying
The Hostages Families Forum: “After 498 agonizing days in captivity, Iair, Sasha and Sagui are returning home….their return today represents a moment of light in the darkness, along with a painful reminder of the urgency to bring back the 73 hostages still in Gaza.”
“The testimonies of those who have returned and signs of life leave no room for doubt—time has run out for the hostages. We must reach a comprehensive and immediate agreement, without phases and without delays, that will return all hostages—the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial.”
What Happens Next
The fate of the ceasefire has been unclear all week and Hamas said in a statement that the prisoner release showed no hostages could be released except through negotiations and adhering to the ceasefire agreement.
However, fighting could start again if there is no deal reached on the truce’s second phase, which calls for the return of all remaining hostages captured by Hamas and an indefinite extension of said truce.
Hamas sounded uncompromising in response to President Donald Trump‘s suggestion to displace the Gaza population to neighboring countries. “We say to the whole world— there is no migration except to Jerusalem,” Hamas said.
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