Israel begins releasing Palestinian prisoners: 6th round of ceasefire agreement

As part of the 6th round of the ceasefire agreement that began on January 19, Hamas released 3 Israeli hostages today (February 15). It was announced that in exchange for the released hostages, Israel has also begun releasing 369 Palestinian prisoners, as promised in the agreement.

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Israel begins releasing Palestinian prisoners: 6th round of ceasefire agreement

12punto FOREIGN NEWS

It has been reported that the 369 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released today have begun to be handed over to Red Cross officials by Israel. Earlier this morning, Hamas returned 3 male Israeli hostages as part of the agreement reached on January 19. Following Hamas's release of the hostages, Israel began fulfilling its part of the agreement by handing over the Palestinian prisoners to the Red Cross.

Following the release of the 3 Israeli hostages under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Israel returned the Palestinian prisoners to Red Cross officials. No information was shared regarding the number of Palestinians released. Israel is expected to release a total of 369 prisoners by this evening.

According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli hostages, who appeared to be in good physical condition, Alexander Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn, were handed over by Hamas to Red Cross officials at a location near the home of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Khan Yunis. Hamas noted that it expects indirect negotiations with Israel for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement to begin next week.

The Gaza Ministry of Health stated that 48,239 people have been killed and 111,676 people have been injured in Israel's attacks on Gaza so far. The Palestinian Government Media Office reported that thousands of people missing under the rubble are now presumed dead. The office updated the death toll to at least 61,709. At least 1,139 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage in the attacks Hamas launched against Israel on October 7, 2023.

PALESTINIAN PRISONERS HOSPITALIZED

It was learned that Israel released the Palestinian prisoners while forcing them to wear clothing marked with the Star of David. The released prisoners were delivered to Hamas by the Red Cross. Some of the Palestinians received by Hamas were hospitalized due to poor health conditions.

The words 'We will not forget, we will not forgive' were written in Arabic on the clothing forced upon the Palestinian prisoners. Before releasing the prisoners from Ofer Prison, Israel took photographs of them in the clothing they were forced to wear and provided them to local media.

It was announced that 4 of the prisoners were hospitalized. It was shared that 33 of the released Palestinians had been sentenced to life imprisonment by Israel.

6TH ROUND OF PRISONER EXCHANGE IN GAZA

Hamas announced that 3 Israeli hostages were handed over to International Red Cross officials as part of the ceasefire agreement reached on January 19. The Israeli side confirmed that the hostages had been handed over to the Red Cross.

The 3 released Israeli hostages were Alexander Sasha Troufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn. The hostages were handed over to Red Cross teams near the home of Hamas's slain leader Yahya Sinwar in the city of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip. The Red Cross set off to transport the hostages to Israel.

The ceasefire agreement that went into effect between Hamas and Israel on January 19 consists of three phases. Under the agreement, it is planned that over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and 33 Israeli captives will be released during the 42-day first phase. The Israeli army withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor, which separates northern Gaza from the south, on February 9 as part of the agreement.

TRUMP HINTS 'CEASEFIRE COULD END'

US President Donald Trump announced that harsh measures could be taken against Gaza if Hamas does not release the Israeli hostages. Trump emphasized that all hostages must be released for the continuation of the ceasefire agreement.

In his statement at the White House, Trump claimed that Hamas treated the hostages poorly and that the released hostages were in bad condition. Accusing Hamas of not keeping its word, Trump suggested that Israel could restart its attacks. Trump added that the released Israeli hostages appeared to be in 'very bad shape.'

Hinting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could target Gaza again, Trump stated the following:

''Israel's patience is running out. I don't know what will happen if Hamas doesn't release the hostages... If the remaining hostages in Hamas's hands are not released, the ceasefire agreement could end. If I were them, I would take a very tough stance. Hamas has completely changed. Now they want to release the hostages, but you have to see that this started with them saying 'we will not release the prisoners'.''