Hamas released Israeli hostages Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel Chen and Sasha (Alexander) Troufanov in Gaza on Saturday and Israel began freeing some 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange, after mediators helped avert a ceasefire collapse.
The three Israelis were led onto a stage with Palestinian Hamas militants armed with automatic rifles standing on each side of them at the site in Khan Younis, live footage showed, before they were taken into Israel by Israeli forces.
Israel is releasing 369 Palestinian prisoners in return, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office – some have arrived in the West Bank, more are due in Gaza later.
Hamas said on Monday it would not release hostages this weekend, blaming Israel for alleged violations of the the ceasefire.
Israel said if hostages weren’t released by midday (local time) on Saturday, it would resume attacks on Gaza.
Israeli hostages ‘forced to endure despicable ceremony’ – Israeli president
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, posting on social media, says the three hostages released today were “forced to endure” a “despicable and cynical ceremony”.
“Completing a hostage deal is a human, moral, and Jewish imperative. We will continue to do everything in our power to bring back all our sisters and brothers from captivity in Gaza”, he says.
Defence minister Israel Katz, also posting on social media, says Israel will continue to work with the US to “ensure that all hostages return to Israel soon” and that “the Palestinian terror threat is destroyed and removed from Gaza”.
REF: BBC
