Hamas is set to release three Israeli hostages in exchange for 369 Palestinian detainees on Saturday, following the resolution of a deadlock in the prisoner swap after negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
The three hostages—Alexander Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn—are scheduled for release later in the day, Hamas confirmed on Friday.
Hamas expects indirect negotiations with Israel to begin next week regarding a potential second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
Meanwhile, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Marco Rubio is on a three-day state visit to the war-torn region.
He is expected to visit Israel and Saudi Arabia in an effort to stabilise the situation and extend the ongoing ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
Reports indicate that the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, have begun preparations in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, for the release of the three Israeli captives today.
Also read: Hamas to free 3 Israeli captives as part of ceasefire deal
Social media footage published by the Palestinian Information Centre shows armed fighters carrying Hamas and Palestinian flags at the location where the exchange is expected to take place.
All three captives—Trufanov, Dekel-Chen, and Horn—will be handed over to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. However, Hamas has not confirmed the exact timing of their release.
So far, Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported 48,239 deaths. However, the Government Media Office has updated the death toll to at least 61,709, including several thousand people buried under the rubble in the devastated enclave.
At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, attacks, and more than 200 were taken captive.
Also read: Tying shoelaces in Gaza and West Bank could get you killed
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