Overview
- Hamas released three Israeli hostages—Sagui Dekel Chen, Iair Horn, and Alexander Troufanov—while Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners, including individuals convicted of deadly attacks.
- The exchange marks the sixth since the ceasefire began on January 19, with 21 hostages and over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners released so far.
- The truce remains fragile, with tensions heightened by accusations of ceasefire violations and controversial proposals by U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate Gaza's population.
- The released Israeli hostages, seized during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, appeared in better health than previous releases but shared harrowing accounts of captivity.
- Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire, including the release of remaining hostages and an Israeli military withdrawal, face significant challenges as the March 1 deadline approaches.