Hamas Releases Three Hostages in Prisoner Swap

Hamas released three hostages, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Alexander Trufanov, and Yair Horn, as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners. This release follows extensive diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and Russia, amid tensions threatening the ceasefire established on January 19, 2023. The exchange is the sixth of its kind, with previous swaps freeing 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners. The fragile truce, which has halted fighting for almost a month, faced potential collapse with accusations of violations from both sides. Additionally, former President Trump's controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza has been widely condemned, adding further strain to the situation. The hostages, described as appearing pale but in better condition than previous releases, were handed over to the Red Cross before their return to Israel for medical assessment and family reunions.