CNN | Published February 14, 2025
The militant group Hamas is expected to release the names of three hostages it will exchange for Palestinian prisoners this weekend, after it expressed its commitment to a ceasefire with Israel.
The next release of hostages was cast in doubt after Hamas accused Israel of violations of the agreement and threats of a return to war.
“We are not interested in the collapse of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, and we are keen on its implementation and ensuring that the occupation [Israel] adheres to it fully,” Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua said.
Troufanov was kidnapped at the age of 27 from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023 along with his grandmother, Irena Tati, his mother Lena Troufanov and girlfriend Sapir Cohen, who were all released in a previous deal. His father Vitaly was killed during the attack.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which kidnapped him, has released several videos of him in captivity.
Dekel-Chen was 35 years old when he was kidnapped while trying to defend his Nir Oz from Hamas attackers. His wife Avital was pregnant with their third child during the attack. His third daughter was born while he was in captivity and turned one in December.
Horn, now 46, was also captured from Nir Oz with his brother Eitan, who remains in captivity.
The announcement comes after a dispute this week with between Hamas and Israel over the Gaza ceasefire, after Hamas said it wouldn’t release Israeli hostages Saturday as planned due to alleged Israeli violations. The differences appeared to have been resolved on Thursday when Hamas said it would release the hostages as planned.
The spat was compounded by US President Donald Trump’s suggestion to dismiss the multi-staged approach of the ceasefire deal altogether and giving Hamas an ultimatum to release all the hostages at once.
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SOURCE: www.cnn.xom
RELATED: Hamas expected to name 3 Israeli hostages for release this weekend
Relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip hold photos depicting their faces during a protest demanding their release from Hamas captivity, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 13, 2025.
VOICE OF AMERICA | Published February 14, 2025
The militant group Hamas is expected to release the names of three hostages it will exchange for Palestinian prisoners this weekend, after it expressed its commitment to a ceasefire with Israel.
The next release of hostages was cast in doubt after Hamas accused Israel of violations of the agreement and threats of a return to war.
“We are not interested in the collapse of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, and we are keen on its implementation and ensuring that the occupation [Israel] adheres to it fully,” Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua said.
Qanoua also criticized what he called “language of threats and intimidation” from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, saying they do not help the implementation of the ceasefire.
The Israeli government later reiterated that Hamas must release three hostages this weekend.
“If those three are not released, if Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end,” Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said.
Hamas earlier this week accused Israel of violating the deal by continuing airstrikes on people in Gaza and blocking aid. The group said future hostage releases would be postponed.
Netanyahu said fighting would resume if more captives were not freed on Saturday, and Trump said Monday that “all hell would break out” if hostages were not returned.
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SOURCE: www.voiceofamerica.com
