Hamas includes an American among hostages to be released

Hamas has set a stage for the release of more Israeli civilians held hostage in Gaza, although one of the three men expected to be freed is believed held by Islamic Jihad.

Alexander Troufanov (left), Yair Horn (centre) and Sagui Dekel-Chen (right) were taken from the same kibbutz

Hamas said it would release the last living American-Israeli civilian held hostage in Gaza along with two other men on Saturday, after negotiators resolved a dispute over the delivery of humanitarian aid that had threatened to derail the shaky ceasefire.

Hamas has set up a stage in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis for the handover of three Israeli hostages, the Times of Israel reported.

Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades operatives arrive at the site of the hostage handover in Khan Younis. The Red Cross convoy is reportedly on its way to receive the three hostages. https://t.co/PunnH0YfJl pic.twitter.com/8sKOaBxhNh

— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) February 15, 2025

The militant group said it would free American-Israeli Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, Russian-Israeli Sasha Troufanov, 29, and Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn, 46. Israel is expected to release 369 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, including 36 serving life sentences.

Dekel-Chen and Horn were being held by Hamas, while Troufanov was being held by Islamic Jihad, the Israeli newspaper said.

Dekel Chen was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border. He has three young daughters, the youngest born in December 2023 while he remained in captivity.

Troufanov, an Amazon employee, was also taken from kibbutz Nir Oz along with his grandmother, mother and girlfriend, all of whom were freed in an earlier ceasefire deal in November 2023. Russia had pressured Hamas to release Troufanov early, mediators said.

Horn was kidnapped with his brother, Eitan Horn, who remains in captivity until the second phase of the ceasefire along with others generally thought to be uninjured men younger than 50, who would be released only if Israel and Hamas agree to extend the deal. His father recently told The Wall Street Journal that he had run the script of their reunion many times in his head and was ready to help his son’s return to normalcy. Horn also was taken from Nir Oz.

Hamas cast uncertainty over the exchange this week, when it threatened to suspend the hostage release to protest delays in the delivery of tents and mobile shelters to Gaza, where the war has flattened civilian infrastructure and displaced most of the population. Hamas blamed Israel for the holdup.

The threat prompted President Trump to warn Hamas to release all of the hostages on Saturday, or else the deal would be cancelled and he would “let hell break out.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Tuesday that Israel would resume intense fighting if the hostages weren’t freed Saturday.

Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the terms of the truce, though this week’s dispute marked the most serious threat to the pact since it entered into force on Jan. 19. Mediators said tensions eased after aid deliveries resumed on Thursday, with some tents entering the enclave and dozens of mobile homes lined up at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.

Mediators remain concerned by a lack of discussion of the transition to the second phase of the deal, which would involve releasing all remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent end to the war. Those talks were meant to begin last week but have been delayed. The first phase is due to end March 1.

Under the terms of the four-week-old ceasefire, Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages during a six-week initial phase in exchange for Israel freeing some 1,700 Palestinian prisoners. So far, 16 living hostages have been freed under the deal, including a 65-year-old American-Israeli man and several young women. Of those yet to return under the initial phase, Israel believes eight are dead.

Five Thai hostages have also been released.

Mediators say Israel wants to extend the first phase to bring more living hostages home quickly. The frail condition of recently released hostages has raised concerns about the health of those who remain in captivity, and Israel’s government is reluctant to give up the ability to resume fighting Hamas.

The militant group has rejected the request, mediators said. Israel’s war against Hamas was triggered by attacks led by the group on October 7, 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed and some 250 were taken hostage. Palestinian health officials say more than 48,000 Gazans have been killed in the ensuing conflict without specifying how many were combatants.

About 70% of buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed during Israel’s offensive, according to the United Nations. The roughly two million Palestinians who live in the enclave are in need of aid including food, medicine and shelter from cold weather.

Trump took mediators and some of his own staff by surprise with a plan for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and redevelop the seaside enclave after removing its inhabitants. Trump said neighbouring countries such as Jordan and Egypt should take in the displaced Palestinians while it is rebuilt, an idea that was swiftly rejected by Arab governments and many in the West.

The Wall Street Journal