Hamas hands over three Israeli captives in sixth phase of prisoner exchange
GAZA — The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Saraya Al-Quds, the armed faction of Islamic Jihad, handed over three Israeli captives on Saturday, including a dual U.S. national and a dual Russian national, as part of the sixth phase of the ongoing prisoner exchange deal with Israel.
The captives—Alexander (Sasha) Turbanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn—were transferred to the International Red Cross Committee in an operation that took place east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
The Al-Qassam Brigades also handed one of the hostages an hourglass inscribed with "Time is running out" in three languages, a message directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed that the hostages were transferred to an Israeli military and Shin Bet unit inside Gaza.
Hamas has now released 19 Israelis in return for 766 Palestinian detainees, including women and children, from Israeli prisons.
On Saturday, Israel is set to release an additional 369 Palestinian detainees as part of the ongoing ceasefire and exchange agreement.
The ceasefire agreement, which took effect in Gaza on January 19, halted the months-long conflict that has devastated the enclave, with over 48,000 Palestinians killed, most of them women and children, and large parts of Gaza left in ruins.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Additionally, Israel faces an ongoing genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its military campaign in the enclave. — Agencies
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