In a tense exchange under Gaza’s fragile ceasefire, Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday, while Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners—the latest step in a deal brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. The emotional handover, broadcast live, showed masked gunmen escorting the hostages to the Red Cross in Deir el-Balah. Families in Tel Aviv celebrated their return but were shaken by the hostages’ visibly weakened state. \"He looked like a skeleton. It was awful to see,\" said Michal Cohen, whose relative was among those freed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to address the \"shocking images\" of the release, while confirming Israel’s compliance with the prisoner swap. Since the ceasefire began nearly three weeks ago, 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been freed in exchange for 766 Palestinian detainees. Talks for a second phase—aimed at releasing remaining hostages and withdrawing Israeli troops from Gaza—are underway.
But tensions flared after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza and transforming the enclave into a \"Riviera of the Middle East.\" Arab states and Palestinian groups condemned the plan as \"ethnic cleansing,\" while Netanyahu backed Trump’s call.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, has claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives according to Gaza health authorities. With the truce hanging by a thread, global eyes remain locked on the region.
