Hamas freed three other Israeli hostages on Saturday when Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners, prolonging a fragile ceased the fire in the Gaza strip which seemed to be falter only days ago.
The hostages – Alexander Troufanov, 29 years old, known as Sasha; IAIR Horn, 46; And Sagua Dekel-Cen, 36 years old, one of the few Americans still held in Gaza-Eno significantly thinner and more pale after spending 16 months in captivity. They had been kidnapped by the Israeli border village of Nir Oz during the attack led by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which turned on the war in Gaza.
But they did not appear as hematic as the three hostages published last Saturday, whose conditions aroused indignation and horror in Israel.
The Palestinian militants once again used the exchange, the sixth conducted under the first phase of the fire, to organize a show destined to demonstrate that we still dominate Gaza, despite the devastating bombing of Israel and the invasion on the ground in response to the Attack of 2023.
Dozens of fighters with firearms affiliated in Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic jihad forced Mr. Troufanov, Mr. Horn and Dekel-Cen to mount a stage in the southern city of Gaza of Khan Youunis and to keep speeches in Hebrew, with Hamas portraits leader on the stage behind them.
On stage, the militants also showed photos of Matan Zangouker, a still -captivity Israeli hostage, and his mother, Einav Zangouker, who made a campaign for his freedom. They were shown next to an hourglass and words, “time is running out”.
The militants, some who transported Israeli weapons, later gave the hourglass to Mr. Horn.
In a JAB at the recent request from President Trump for the Palestinians to leave Gaza in Massa, a banner on stage read “there is no migration except for Jerusalem”. Hamas – and most of the Arab world – have rejected Mr. Trump’s proposal in a total way.
The exchange could support the ceasefire, at least for now. But the long -term future of the truce remains uncertain. The agreement, which began in late January, will expire at the beginning of March unless Israel and Hamas accept an extension.
The first phase of the truce took months of difficult negotiations to be agreed, and there have been few indications that Israel and Hamas have started in serious interviews on the next phase, which should include the end of the war, the full retreat of Israeli forces of Gaza and the release of the remaining living hostages. More than 70 hostages – many of which are allegedly dead – remain in Gaza.
While the hostages were released on Saturday, hundreds of Israelis who had gathered in a square in Tel Aviv exulted, agitated Israeli flags and poured tears of joy while watching the passage of passage on a big television screen.
The relief was a great change compared to the shock and the fury that broke out in Israel last Saturday when Hamas released three Gotti and apparently malnourished hostages and forced them to thank their kidnappers. This time, the kidnappers did not produce the hostages to offer them thanks.
“Three pieces have returned to my heart,” said Doron Zexer, an important supporter of the hostages. “Joy is now full.”
Viki Cohen, the mother of an Israeli soldier still held prisoner in Gaza, said in an interview that the happiness of seeing more hostages released was tempered by anguish and uncertainty.
“We are in a crazy Russian mountain,” said Mrs. Cohen. His son, Nimrod, is not among the hostages that should be released in the first phase of the fire. “We are doing everything possible for him to return,” he said.
The Palestinian prisoners who were released included 36 life sentences for attacks on the Israelis. They also included more than 300 Gazas held since the war broke out. Most of these prisoners have not been formally accused of any crime and have often been detained for prolonged periods.
The officials of the Israeli prison made them wear sweatshirts that brought a phrase in Arabic: “We will not forget or forgive”.
The Officers of the Israeli prison had also linked threatening messages around some wrists of prisoners.
“The eternal nation will not forget,” has read a message, an Arab adaptation of a famous Jewish phrase. “I chase my enemies and take them.”
Without appointing the parties, the International Committee of the Red Cross raised objections on how hostage and detained versions were carried out. The red cross acted as a neutral intermediary in the transfers of the fire.
“Despite having repeatedly asked that all transfers be performed in a dignified and private way, it must be done more from all sides, including mediators, to improve future transfers,” he said in a note.
When 10 of the Palestinian prisoners liberated arrived in the city of Ramallah, in the West Bank occupied by Israel, jackets were delivered to cover the sweatshirts. Hassan Oweis, 47 years old, former member of Palestinian security services, was one of those prisoners. His family had not seen him out of the prison since he was arrested in 2002, during an Israeli raid in the western city of Jenin.
Mr. Oweis was subsequently sentenced for several terrorist counts, including encouraging two armed men who killed two Israeli civilians and wounded scores in the north of Israel in November 2001, according to the documents of the Israeli court. Mr. Owais had denied the accusations, according to the registers.
To celebrate his freedom, a crowd of supporters raised Mr. Owis on their shoulders. “The first time we see him without a bar,” said his son Shadi, 25 years old, who was a child when Mr. Owis was arrested. “The most precious moment,” said Mr. Owis’ mother, Moriam.
But the mood also felt “painful and restless”, said Mrs. Oweis, 75.
The Oweis family was cracked by their home in Jenin, where the Israeli army mounted a wide operation against what they say they are militants who plan attacks on the Israelis. Thousands of residents of Jenin were forced by their homes while the Israeli soldiers fought Palestinian armed men and demolished dozens of buildings.
A few days ago, the ceased the fire seemed to be at risk of crumbling when Hamas threatened to delay the release of hostages. He accused Israel of violating the truce agreement, even not sending enough curtains and other aid to Gaza.
Israel threatened to resume war if Hamas did not give in. Trump intensified the threat, warning that all the remaining hostages had to be freed within noon on Saturday or “all hell is about to burst”.
On Friday, Israel and Hamas reported that the dispute had been resolved for now.
And Mr. Trump on Saturday seemed to distance himself from his ultimatum, publishing on social media that “Israel will now have to decide” how to manage the deadline. “The United States will support the decision they make!” He wrote.
The Israeli leaders had not definitely embraced the ultimatum of Mr. Trump and indicated that they were willing to continue following the terms of the first phase of the ceased.
Israel and Hamas should have started negotiations on the second part of the agreement last week. But a break in the talks has pushed serious concerns about the future of the most stadium agreement.
The achievement of the second phase would probably require painful concessions of one side or both. Israel promised not to end the war until the end of Hamas domain in Gaza. For Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, there may also be a political price: his right -wing government coalition could break if it breaks that vote.
For his part, Hamas has mostly refused to give up the control of Gaza and to send his leaders in exile. The group also worries that the delivery of the hostages, its more precious bargaining chips, will remove its best insurance against a renewed Israeli invasion.
To support the ceasefire, Israel or Hamas should most likely beat the eyelids. For now, neither of them did, leaving the future of the truce in the air.
Patrick Kingsley, Lara Jakes AND Michael Levenson Contributed relationships.