Israel and Hamas completed their sixth exchange of hostages and prisoners after their ceasefire survived its latest crisis. Israel released more 369 Palestinian prisoners from custody Saturday after receiving three Israeli men held hostage in Gaza since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war.
Hamas said earlier this week it would delay the exchange because Israel wasn’t letting the agreed-upon humanitarian aid into devastated Gaza. However, the exchange got back on track after Hamas said mediators Egypt and Qatar had pledged to “remove all hurdles” to ensure Israel would allow more tents, medical supplies and other essentials.
There are just over two weeks remaining first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which began on Jan. 19. The war could resume in early March if no agreement is reached on the more complicated second phase, which calls for the return of all remaining hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attack and an indefinite extension of the truce.
Here’s the latest:
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WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that the Israeli hostages freed Saturday “seem to be in good shape.”
“Israel will now have to decide what they will do about the 12:00 O’CLOCK, TODAY, DEADLINE imposed on the release of ALL HOSTAGES. The United States will back the decision they make!” Trump wrote.
Israel has not imposed such a deadline, and it is not part of the ceasefire deal.
Trump’s recent proposal to remove the territory’s over 2 million Palestinians and settle them elsewhere in the region has also rattled the truce.
BEIRUT — Lebanon’s interior minister said over 25 people were arrested after protesters attacked a convoy transporting U.N. peacekeepers to Beirut airport on Friday, injuring a top commander.
Ahmad Hajjar, speaking after a security meeting, condemned the attacks and said the investigation is ongoing, with detainees being questioned to release the innocent and prosecute those responsible.
Demonstrators had blocked the airport road to protest Lebanon’s decision to revoke permission for an Iranian passenger plane to land, leaving dozens of Lebanese stranded abroad.
Lebanon banned the Iranian flight after Israel claimed Iran was smuggling cash to Hezbollah. Lebanon’s civil aviation agency cited “additional security measures,” rescheduling some flights until Feb. 18 — the deadline for Israel and Hezbollah’s ceasefire implementation, including a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
TEL AVIV, Israel — Chen’s wife, Avital, told Israeli media that every Saturday for the past month her daughters have asked her: “Is Daddy coming home today?”
She said she was overwhelmed with happiness to see Sagui back in Israel where he will meet for the first time his youngest daughter Shachar, born while he was in captivity.
Chen appeared to be limping as he descended the stage during the hostage release.
“Our hearts ache for everything he missed, but now he’s here, unlike many others,” Dekel Chen’s family said.
Troufanov’s family said they were “overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude” as he crossed into Israeli territory. Before meeting them, Troufanov was informed his father was killed on Oct. 7, 2023.
Horn’s family joyously put stickers that read “I’m back!” on sweatshirts bearing photos of the Argentinian-Israeli brothers Eitan and Iair Horn.
“Our Iair is home after surviving hell in Gaza. Now, we need to bring Eitan back so our family can truly breathe,” the family said.
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