US, Russian Nationals Released In Sixth Gaza Ceasefire Swap

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Three hostages were released from captivity in Gaza and 369 Palestinians were freed from Israeli jails in a ceasefire swap that averted a collapse of the six-week truce deal between Israel and Hamas.

The three men released in Gaza - including an American citizen and a Israeli-Russian national - were handed over to Israeli security forces in the Gaza Strip on Saturday morning. They have crossed the border into Israeli territory and were transferred to medical facilities following a reunion with family members, the IDF said in a statement.

The Hamas-run Prisoners media Office said that 26 prisoners serving life sentences were freed by Israel, alongside 333 detainees who were taken into custody during Israeli military operations in Gaza. Twelve prisoners were released to the West Bank and to Jerusalem. All other prisoners were set free in Gaza, except 24 who will be deported.

It was a sixth swap in a phased exchange that went into effect on Jan 19. Earlier this week, the truce deal had appeared compromised following mutual accusations of violations between the Iran-backed militant group and Israel.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Israel now has to decide what it will do about a 12 pm deadline imposed by him for the release of all hostages. He had previously encouraged Israel to call off the truce if this deadline wasn't met.

“The United States will back the decision they make,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi said in a statement that the Israeli Defence Forces are making immense efforts to bring all the hostages back,“while simultaneously preparing offensive plans.”

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