Hamas releases three hostages as Israel frees 369 Palestinian detainees
The exchange helped ease concerns that the ceasefire agreement, in place since January 19, might collapse before the 42-day first stage ends.
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Militant group Hamas on Saturday released three hostages in Gaza while Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in return, reported Reuters.
The exchange, brokered by mediators, helped sustain a fragile ceasefire.
The three hostages released on Saturday – Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel Chen and Sasha Troufanov – were shown on a stage in Khan Younis, flanked by armed Hamas militants, as seen in live footage. They were later escorted back into Israel by Israeli forces.
Buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners left Israel’s Ofer jail in the West Bank, with the first arriving in Ramallah to a crowd waving Palestinian flags.
“We didn’t expect to be freed, but God is great, God set us free,” said Musa Nawarwa, 70, from Bethlehem, who was serving two life sentences for the killings of Israeli soldiers in the West Bank.
Buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners later arrived at the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Some of the released Palestinians had long prison sentences for attacks during the second Palestinian uprising, including suicide bombings and killings of Israeli soldiers.
Some Israeli hostages freed since January 19 described being deprived of food, held in tunnels for months and subjected to physical and psychological abuse.
The ceasefire’s second phase will see negotiations for the return of the remaining living hostages...
