Three Israeli hostages—Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Sasha (Alexander) Troufanov—were released in Gaza on Saturday, February 15, thanks to mediation by Egypt and Qatar. Their release was a major breakthrough, preventing a potential collapse of a 42-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Emotional Scenes as Hostages Return
The three men were led onto a stage in Khan Younis, flanked by heavily armed militants. Their return to Israel sparked cheers and tears in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square,” where families and supporters anxiously awaited news.
Unlike the three hostages freed last week, who appeared emaciated and weak, these men seemed in better condition. However, their release came at a cost—369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were freed in exchange.
The October 7 Attack: How It Started
The hostages were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Nir Oz, the community where Horn and Troufanov were taken, was among the hardest hit—one in four residents was either killed or kidnapped.
Troufanov’s family endured heartbreaking losses. While he was held captive, his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend were released in a brief truce in November 2023. His father, however, was killed during the attack.
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A Close Call: Could the Ceasefire Have Collapsed?
Just days before the release, Hamas threatened to halt further hostage exchanges, accusing Israel of blocking crucial aid from entering Gaza. In response, Israel denied the claim and accused Hamas of violating the agreement instead.
With tensions rising, Israel called up reservists and put its forces on high alert, raising fears that fighting could resume at any moment. Fortunately, mediators stepped in, and the exchange went through.
Global Reactions and Political Fallout
The ceasefire is already under strain, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks made things worse. He suggested that Palestinians should be permanently relocated from Gaza and that the U.S. should take control of the war-torn region.
His comments faced backlash from Palestinian groups, Arab nations, and even Western allies. Many fear they could derail ongoing efforts to end the conflict and rebuild Gaza.
More Hostages, More Uncertainty
Hamas had originally agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages—including women, children, and sick or elderly individuals—in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
Here’s where things stand:
Before Saturday: 16 Israeli hostages and 5 Thai captives were released.
After Saturday’s exchange: 19 more hostages remain to be freed under the current deal.
Still in captivity: 76 hostages remain in Gaza, and only about half are believed to be alive.
Gaza in Ruins: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
The ceasefire was meant to pave the way for wider negotiations—bringing back all remaining hostages, withdrawing Israeli forces, and eventually rebuilding Gaza.
But conditions in Gaza remain dire:
- 48,000+ Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
- The majority of buildings are destroyed.
- There’s a severe shortage of food, clean water, and electricity.
- Tens of thousands are left homeless, sleeping in the open during winter.
