After 498 days of captivity in the hands of Hamas, they returned to freedom, on the 27th day of the agreement on the truce, three other Israeli hostages kidnapped on 7 October 2023. These are Aleksandr Sasha Trufanov, a 29-year-old Russian-Israeli citizen, Saguy Dekel-Hen, 36-year-old Israeli-American, and Yair Horen, 46 years old. The three were released to Khan Youunis, in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Also this time, following the ritual already experimented with the liberation of previous otraggi, staging a sort of disturbing, macabre show that has been broadcast worldwide by Arabic TV to Jazeera: The kidnapped were brought to the stage, set up among the rubble of the buildings, from armed militants with a covered face, greeted the crowd of the Palestinians, have released forced statements to urge the Israeli government to continue with the second phase of the cessation. A festive scenario, complete with high volume music and flags of Hamas and Islamic jihad won everything around and the photo of the former Hamas Yahya Sinwar leader – killed on October 16, 2024 in Gaza during an operation of the forces of Israeli Defense – Sitting on a sofa overlooking the esplanade of the mosques in Jerusalem.
In the exchange with Hamas, always as required by the agreement, Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners, 36 of which were serving numerous life sentences for attacks in which dozens of civilians were killed. The release of the hostages took place at the end of a week of uncertainty after Hamas had threatened to delay liberation accusing Israel of alleged violations of the truce.
So far Hamas has freed 19 Israeli hostages (of the 33 expected in the first phase of 42 days) and 5 Thai. By March 1, there are 14 other people to be released, 8, however, are considered dead.
(Ansa photo)
