Palestinian prisoners transferred to Red Cross in latest exchange with Israel

In the sixth round of prisoner exchanges between Hamas and Israel, 369 Palestinian detainees have been released from Israeli prisons in return for hostages held in Gaza.

The released prisoners were held in Ofer military prison in the West Bank and Ketsiot prison in southern Israel before being handed over to teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

A Red Cross convoy transporting the freed detainees from Ofer prison has since reached Ramallah in the West Bank.

Earlier today, three hostages — Alexander Trufanov (a dual Israeli-Russian citizen), Sagui Dekel-Chen (a dual Israeli-American citizen), and Iair Horn (an Israeli repatriate from Argentina) — were released as part of the ongoing exchange and handed over to the ICRC. According to Israeli media, the hostages were subsequently transferred to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) units. A Red Cross representative signed an official document confirming that they were released in good condition.

Since the ceasefire began, a total of 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been freed in exchange for 766 Palestinian prisoners. The first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement stipulates the release of 33 hostages in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian detainees.

The conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, more than 48,230 people have been killed since the start of the Israeli offensive.

Currently, 73 hostages taken during the October 7 attack remain in Gaza. In addition, three other Israeli hostages — one of whom has died — have been held there for over a decade.

A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took effect on January 19. On the same day, Palestinian factions released the first group of hostages, which included three Israeli women. The first phase of the agreement, lasting 42 days, involves the release of at least 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The second phase includes the release of remaining hostages and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. On February 1, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that he had agreed with US President Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steven Whitkoff, to begin negotiations on the second phase during a visit to Washington on February 3. 

By Tamilla Hasanova