ISREAL: Israel has revealed the names of three hostages scheduled to be released on Saturday, marking the sixth exchange under the ongoing ceasefire deal that took effect last month.

The hostages set for release by Palestinian militants are:

  • Sagui Dekel-Chen (American-Israeli)
  • Alexandre Troufanov (Russian-Israeli)
  • Iair Horn (Argentinian-Israeli)

Following their release, Israel is expected to free 369 Palestinian prisoners, according to Hamas’ Prisoner Media Office.

Background on the Hostages

  • Alexandre Troufanov, 27, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, along with his grandmother, mother, and girlfriend, all of whom have since been released in a previous exchange. His father was killed during the attack. Troufanov was held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which has released several videos of him in captivity.

  • Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, was abducted while trying to defend Nir Oz from Hamas attackers. His wife, Avital, was pregnant with their third child at the time of his capture. Their daughter was born during his captivity and turned one year old in December.

The announcement follows a dispute between Hamas and Israel earlier this week, when Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and threatened to delay the release of hostages. The issue appeared to have been resolved on Thursday, with Hamas confirming that the release would proceed as planned.

The tensions were further complicated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested dismissing the multi-phase ceasefire deal and instead demanding the release of all hostages at once. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s stance but did not explicitly agree, instead issuing a warning:

“Hamas must return our hostages by Saturday noon, or the military will return to intense fighting until Hamas is completely defeated.”

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer also confirmed that if three live hostages were not released by Saturday at noon, the ceasefire would end, and Israel would resume its military operations in Gaza.

Emotional Pleas for Hostage Release

Former Israeli-American hostage Keith Siegel, who was released two weeks ago, made a direct appeal to President Trump, urging him to help secure the freedom of the remaining captives.

“I was held for 484 days in unimaginable conditions, and every single day felt like it could be my last. President Trump, you are the reason I am home alive. Please bring them home,” Siegel pleaded.

Similarly, Or Levy, a former hostage who was freed last Saturday, spoke at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Friday, saying:

“I still have many brothers and sisters suffering in the hell of Gaza, and their time is running out.”

Concerns Over Treatment of Hostages and Prisoners

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which oversees the exchange process, expressed deep concern about the conditions of the hostages.

“The latest release operations reinforce the urgent need for ICRC access to those held hostage,” the organization stated on X (formerly Twitter). “We have consistently reiterated that release and transfer operations should be carried out in a dignified and safe manner.”

Israel has protested against Hamas’ handling of hostage releases, accusing the militant group of parading captives before crowds and surrounding them with armed militants as a show of force.

The three Israeli male hostages released in the fifth exchange appeared frail and malnourished, a condition that Israeli officials called “shocking.”

Meanwhile, Palestinian prisoners released by Israel have also reported mistreatment. Rula Hassanein, a former detainee, said that she and others were forced to watch Israeli propaganda videos for hours before their release. The Israel Prison Service (IPS) stated that it was unaware of these allegations.

Progress of the Hostage-Prisoner Exchange

So far, under the current phase of the agreement:

  • 16 of the 33 scheduled Israeli hostages have been freed
  • 5 Thai nationals have also been released
  • 656 Palestinian prisoners out of a planned nearly 2,000 have been released by Israel

As the situation remains fragile, the world watches closely to see whether this latest exchange will proceed smoothly or reignite tensions between Israel and Hamas.