Doha: The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, released three Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of the sixth phase of the first stage of a prisoner exchange deal with the Israeli entity. Hamas announced Friday that it would release the three hostages, identified as Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov, and Iair Horn.
According to Qatar News Agency, correspondent, groups of Palestinian resistance fighters arrived with the three prisoners in specially designated vehicles at the pre-arranged transfer point on Salah Al Din Street in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. The prisoners were then handed over to vehicles belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Following the release of the three prisoners, Israeli occupation authorities are expected to free 369 Palestinian prisoners from its jails today. The Office of Prisoners’ Affairs, the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, and the Palestinian Prisoners Club announced the names of the prisoners to be released today, including 36 serving life sentences and 333 from Gaza who were arrested after Oct. 7, 2023.
On January 19, a ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and the Israeli entity came into effect, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with support from the United States. The first phase of the agreement lasts 42 days, during which negotiations for the second and third phases will take place.