Hamas Frees 3 Hostages, Israel Releases Palestinians as Part of Ceasefire Deal

By Associated Press

Published 5 months ago on

February 1, 2025

The latest hostage-prisoner exchange marks progress in the Gaza ceasefire, as negotiations for extending the truce are set to begin. (AP/Mahmoud Illean)

Hamas freed three hostages and Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners in the fourth exchange of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
The six-week truce calls for releasing 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 prisoners, with negotiations for a second phase set to begin next week.
Released Palestinians described harsh conditions and abuse in Israeli prisons, while Arab nations rejected suggestions to relocate Gazans.

Hamas freed three hostages in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday and Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners in the fourth round of exchanges during the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

The six-week phase one truce calls for the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 prisoners, as well as the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated territory.

Israel and Hamas are set next week to begin negotiating a second phase of the ceasefire, which calls for releasing the remaining hostages and extending the truce indefinitely. The war could resume in early March if an agreement is not reached.

Palestinian health authorities in Gaza also announced that the long-shuttered Rafah border crossing with Egypt would reopen on Saturday for thousands of Palestinians who desperately need medical care — a breakthrough that signals the ceasefire agreement continues to gain traction.

Thai Officials Visit Released Hostages

A delegation of senior Thai officials including the foreign minister and army chief of staff on Saturday visited the five Thai nationals who were released from Hamas captivity earlier this week.

Surasak Rumnao, 32, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were released on Thursday, along with three Israeli hostages, as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Emotional Reunions for Released Hostages

Israeli-American hostage Keith Siegel had an emotional reunion with his family members following his release from captivity in Gaza.

In footage released by Israel’s government press office, Siegel’s daughters greeted him at the hospital, where doctors are monitoring his condition, with a song and hugged him tightly. He told them they were “champions.”

Palestinians Describe Harsh Prison Conditions

Palestinians who were sentenced to years in prison over deadly attacks against Israelis and released into the occupied West Bank described harsh conditions, beatings and other abuse in prison. Many appeared frail as they reveled in their homecoming on Saturday.

Mohammad Kaskus, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison over his militancy during the second Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s, told The Associated Press that he faced beatings and intimidation during interrogations. He said that the food provisions in prison were insufficient, with meager snacks instead of full meals often leaving him hungry.

Arab Nations Reject Relocation Suggestion

Powerful Arab nations have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring Egypt and Jordan.

Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority and the Arab League released a joint statement on Saturday following a meeting of foreign ministers.

They said they reject any plans to move Palestinians out of their territories in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.