Three Israeli hostages are due to be released from Gaza today after a tense stand-off that threatened to shatter the fragile ceasefire was resolved. Yair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Sasha Troufanov will be freed in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners, marking the sixth prisoner swap since the truce began on 19 January. The deal had appeared close to collapse earlier this week when Hamas refused to release more hostages, claiming Israel had blocked vital aid deliveries, including tents and shelter materials, leaving thousands exposed to winter conditions. Israel rejected these claims, insisting it had allowed thousands of aid trucks to enter Gaza.
The three men - who hold American, Russian and Argentine citizenship - have endured 498 days in captivity after being seized from Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas' attack on 7 October 2023, when militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Today's exchange brings the total number of hostages freed during the ceasefire to 24, while more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners have been released. However, around 73 hostages remain in Gaza, with half feared dead.
International aid groups report increased deliveries since the truce began but say supplies remain insufficient for Gaza's population, where the Israeli military campaign has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, and left most residents homeless. The truce now enters a critical second phase, which calls for all remaining hostages to be returned and an indefinite extension of the ceasefire. Failure to reach agreement could see fighting resume.
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