Hamas names 3 captives to be released Saturday, moving ahead with Gaza ceasefire

CAIRO – 14 February 2025: Hamas announced on Friday the names of three captives scheduled to be released from Gaza tomorrow as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, which was salvaged from collapse at the last minute by mediators Egypt and Qatar.

On Telegram, Hamas stated it will release three Zionist captives, including US-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, Russian-Israeli Alexandre Sasha Troufanov, and Yair Horn.

Egypt and Qatar strongly intervened to avert an imminent collapse of the ceasefire, triggered by Hamas’ initial announcement that it would delay the release of the next three captives under the agreement due to Israeli violations.

An official source stated on Thursday that Egypt and Qatar have successfully removed obstacles to the continuation of the ceasefire in Gaza, Al Qahera News reported#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps://t.co/2Zvyrpgqry

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) February 13, 2025

In response to Hamas, US President Donald Trump demanded the release of all captives by Saturday noon or “all hell will break loose.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later warned that the Israeli army would resume “intense fighting” in Gaza “until Hamas is decisively defeated” if the captives were not released.

Softening Trump’s push for the release of “all” captives in Gaza, which amount to dozens, by Saturday, Israel reportedly passed a message to Hamas through Egypt and Qatar urging the release of three captives for the ceasefire to continue.

Hamas asserted that it does not favor the collapse of the ceasefire but accused Israel of violating the agreement by shooting dead Palestinians in the enclave and obstructing the entry of tents, caravans, fuel, and medical supplies.

On the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, construction equipment and trucks loaded with caravans are lined up, awaiting permission to enter Gaza as part of efforts to support and rebuild affected areas.

Hamas reaffirms its commitment to implementing the agreement fully, including the exchange of prisoners, in accordance with the agreed-upon timetable#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps://t.co/EzIv7QCi5D

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) February 13, 2025

After visiting Cairo for talks with Arab mediators, Hamas stated it will continue to implement the ceasefire agreement, including the release of captives according to the specified timetable.

The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, took effect on January 19, halting over 15 months of war that devastated the enclave and killed more than 48,000 Palestinians.

Under the ceasefire, Israel and Hamas have already exchanged a total of 766 Palestinian prisoners and 21 captives—16 Israelis and 5 Thai nationals—through five prisoner swaps, with tomorrow’s release set to become the sixth.