Hamas Releases Three Israeli Hostages as Ceasefire Swap Continues Fourth Round of Hostage-Prisoner Exchange
In the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, three Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners. The handover, conducted through the International Red Cross, marks the fourth exchange since the ceasefire began on January 19, 2025.
The three released hostages are:
- French-Israeli Ori Calderon
- Israeli national Yarden Bas
- American-Israeli Keith Seagull
They have been safely transferred to the Israeli Army after crossing from Gaza into Israel.
Israel’s Prisoner Release
In return, Israel is set to release 183 Palestinian prisoners today, many of whom were serving life sentences. This is part of a broader agreement in which:
- 33 Israeli hostages are to be freed in the first phase of the ceasefire.
- 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released by Israel in exchange.
Additionally, wounded Palestinians will be allowed to leave Gaza for Egypt through the Rafah Crossing, which has remained mostly closed since May 2024.
Rafah Crossing and EU Mission
The European Union has deployed a civilian mission to oversee preparations for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, which is a crucial gateway for humanitarian aid and civilian movement. The reopening will be a key milestone in the first phase of the ceasefire.
Next Phase of Ceasefire Talks
Hamas and Israel are expected to begin negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire next week. This phase would involve:
- The release of remaining Israeli hostages.
- Potential extension of the truce indefinitely.
However, if an agreement is not reached, the conflict could resume in early March 2025.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the fragile ceasefire can hold or if tensions will escalate once again.
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