Israel receives the names of three hostages that Hamas will release on Saturday

Watan-Israel announced on Friday that it had received the names of the hostages who will be released on Saturday as part of the sixth exchange operation under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

This comes after mutual threats between the two sides, raising concerns about a possible resumption of hostilities in the Palestinian enclave.

Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, confirmed via Telegram that three hostages would be released, including one held by the Islamic Jihad movement, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). The hostages are Israeli-Russian Sasha Trubnikov, Israeli-American Sagi Dekel Han, and Yair Horn.

Red Cross Raises Alarm Over Hostages’ Condition

Shortly before the announcement, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which facilitates the exchange operations, expressed “deep concern” about the condition of the hostages still being held in Gaza.

In a statement on X, the ICRC emphasized that “the recent releases underscore the urgent need for the ICRC to have access to the hostages. We are extremely concerned about their conditions.”

The organization also stated: “We have consistently emphasized that the release and transfer of hostages must be conducted in a dignified and safe manner.”

369 Palestinian Prisoners

Meanwhile, the Hamas-affiliated Prisoners’ Media Office announced that Israel would release 369 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday as part of the first phase of the detainee exchange deal. This comes after Palestinian factions handed over the names of Israeli hostages to be freed.

In a brief statement, the office noted that among the prisoners set for release are 36 individuals serving life sentences and 333 detainees from Gaza who were arrested after the war broke out on October 7, 2023.

Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on January 19, five prisoner exchange operations have taken place.

Uncertainty Over the Second Phase

In recent days, mutual threats between Hamas and Israel have cast doubt on the continuation of the truce in Gaza, which has been devastated by a war lasting approximately 15 months.

Under the agreement, the first phase is set to last 42 days, with the sixth exchange operation scheduled for Saturday. However, Hamas had previously announced its postponement, accusing Israel of “obstructing” the deal’s implementation, particularly by hindering the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

On Thursday, Palestinian sources told AFP that mediators had “conducted intensive discussions and obtained an initial Israeli commitment to implement the humanitarian protocol.” This would allow for the entry of “caravans, tents, fuel, heavy equipment, medicines, and hospital reconstruction materials” into Gaza.

Despite this, uncertainty looms over the agreement’s future, especially since negotiations for the second phase—expected to begin in early March—have not yet started.

Under the terms of the deal, 33 hostages held in Gaza are to be released by early March in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. So far, 16 Israeli hostages and 765 Palestinian detainees have been freed.

Of the 251 people kidnapped during Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, 73 remain in Gaza, 35 of whom have been confirmed dead, according to the Israeli military.

The second phase of the truce is expected to result in the release of all surviving hostages and the end of the war. The third and final phase of the agreement will focus on Gaza’s reconstruction, a massive project estimated by the United Nations to cost over $53 billion.

Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israeli territory killed 1,210 people, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures.

In contrast, Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed at least 48,222 people, the majority of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, which the United Nations considers a reliable source.