Hamas releases three more Israeli hostages during sixth exchange
Photo: Hamas frees three more Israeli hostages (Getty Images)
Hamas militants released three more Israeli hostages on February 15. According to the agreement, Israel is required to release 369 Palestinian prisoners, according to CNN and News of Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that militants handed over three hostages to the Red Cross, who were captured during the October 7, 2023, attack. They had been held captive for 498 days.
The released hostages are: Alexandre Trufanov (a dual citizen of Israel and Russia), Sagui Dekel-Chen (a dual citizen of Israel and the US), and Iair Horn (an Israeli citizen and repatriate from Argentina).
In exchange, Israel agreed to release 369 Palestinian prisoners, 36 of whom had been sentenced to life imprisonment. Another 333 prisoners are residents of the Gaza Strip, arrested after October 7, 2023.
This marks the sixth prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.
Israel-Hamas agreement
Recall that Israel and Hamas, with mediators, reached an agreement for the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. As part of the deal, a ceasefire was established in the Gaza Strip.
On Saturday, February 8, Hamas released three hostages who had been held since October 7, 2023. In return, Israel freed 183 prisoners.
In total, 21 hostages (16 Israelis and five Thais) were freed during the first phase of the operation in January and February 2025. Another 17 hostages are expected to be released.
During the first phase of the agreement, Israel is set to release up to 1,904 Palestinian prisoners, including 737 serving life or lengthy sentences.
