Israel and Hamas were scheduled to execute their third hostage-prisoner exchange on Thursday, involving the release of three Israelis and five Thai captives. This exchange is part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing Gaza war.
The three Israelis identified for release are Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and Gadi Moses. The Moses family expressed their excitement about Gadi’s safe return following the announcement. Additionally, a fourth exchange is set for the weekend, although Hamas has accused Israel of threatening the deal by delaying aid deliveries, a claim that Israel has termed as “fake news.”
The ceasefire, which commenced on January 19, is contingent on the release of Israeli hostages taken during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. In return, 1,900 individuals, primarily Palestinians, are slated for release from Israeli custody. So far, Hamas has freed seven hostages, while Israel has released 290 prisoners. Israel is expected to release 110 prisoners, including 30 minors, for the three Israelis being released on Thursday.
In related news, aid trucks have been permitted into Gaza, addressing a severe humanitarian crisis caused by the war. However, two high-ranking Hamas officials accused Israel of obstructing aid deliveries, particularly of critical supplies like fuel and machinery. One official noted, “According to the agreement, these materials were supposed to enter during the first week of the ceasefire.” Israel’s COGAT spokesman refuted these claims, affirming that between Sunday and Wednesday, 3,000 trucks had entered Gaza, though the agreement called for 4,200 trucks to arrive within seven days.
The ceasefire deal is currently in its initial 42-day phase, during which 33 hostages are expected to be freed. Future discussions between the involved parties are planned to address a long-term resolution to the conflict and the reconstruction of Gaza, including the return of deceased hostages.
U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed credit for facilitating this agreement, which became effective just before his inauguration. Trump invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on February 4. In the aftermath of the ceasefire, Trump has proposed the relocation of Palestinians to neighboring countries, a proposal that has garnered backlash from Egypt and Jordan. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described forced displacement as an “injustice,” while Jordan’s King Abdullah II emphasized the importance of maintaining Palestinian rights and the two-state solution.
According to the UN humanitarian office OCHA, over 376,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza since access was reopened earlier in the week. Many return to find their homes in ruins. Mohammed Al-Faleh, a displaced resident, described his struggles, saying, “I built a small room with two walls made from the remains of our home,” highlighting devastation and a lack of basic necessities such as water and electricity.