In a delicate exchange under a weeks-long ceasefire, Hamas released three Israeli hostages Sunday while Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners — marking the fifth such swap since the U.S.-backed truce began. The move comes amid heightened tensions over controversial proposals to reshape Gaza's future.
Emotional scenes unfolded as crowds in Tel Aviv watched live footage of the hostages, visibly frail and flanked by armed militants, during a Hamas-organized handover in Deir el-Balah. \"He looked like a skeleton,\" said Michal Cohen, whose son-in-law Ohad Ben Ami was among those released, describing the physical toll of captivity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed accountability for the hostages' treatment, while completing the agreed prisoner release — including 18 serving life sentences for violent crimes. To date, 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been freed in exchange for 766 Palestinian detainees since the temporary truce began nearly three weeks ago.
The ceasefire framework, negotiated by Egypt and Qatar with U.S. support, faces new challenges following former President Donald Trump's unexpected call to resettle Gazans elsewhere and develop the enclave into a \"Middle Eastern Riviera.\" Arab leaders and Palestinian groups have rejected the proposal, with critics labeling it ethnic cleansing.
As negotiations continue for a second-phase agreement involving remaining hostages and Israeli troop withdrawals, the human cost escalates: over 47,000 Palestinians have died in Israel' retaliatory campaign since Hamas' October 7 attack killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages, per official counts. The fragile peace holds — but for how long?
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Hamas frees three more Israeli hostages amid fragile Gaza truce
cgtn.com
