Hamas hands over 3 Israeli captives as part of sixth batch of deal
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The Palestinian Resistance handed over three Israeli captives in Khan Younis, with Resistance fighters from the al-Qassam Brigades and al-Quds Brigades present, clad in military gear. Meanwhile, 369 Palestinian detainees are set to be liberated.
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A Hamas fighter takes up a position ahead of a Prisoner-Captive release in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, on February 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
The Palestinian Resistance released three Israeli prisoners—Alexander Tropanov, Sagi Dekel Chen, and Yair Horn—in Khan Yunis on Saturday, located in the southern Gaza Strip. This release is part of the sixth batch in the prisoner exchange process outlined in the ceasefire agreement.
The event saw hundreds of fighters from the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, stationed in the square where the captives were released.
At the prisoner handover site, the Resistance showcased around ten different weapons captured from the Israeli occupation during the battles, as reported by Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Khan Younis.
The al-Qassam Brigades also displayed images of several of their martyred leaders on the prisoner handover platform, including Mohammad al-Deif, Chief of Staff; Rafeh Salama, Commander of the Khan Younis Brigade; Shadi Baroud, Deputy Intelligence Commander; and Tayseer al-Mubasher, Commander of the Western Battalion of the Khan Younis Brigade.
Before the handover began, Saraya al-Quds released footage showing prisoner Alexander Turbanov at the moment he was informed about his upcoming release.
شاهد.. #سرايا_القدس تنشر مشاهد للأسير الإسرائيلي "ألكسندر توربانوف" لحظة تسلمه قرار الإفراج عنه.#غزة #فلسطين #غزة_تهزم_الإبادة pic.twitter.com/BJj0HGSqjV
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) February 15, 2025
On Friday evening, scenes of the same prisoner were also published during one of his tours on the Gaza beach.
نشرت سرايا القدس، مشاهد للأسير الإسرائيلي لديها "ألكسندر توربانوف" خلال إحدى الجولات على شاطئ بحر قطاع #غزة.#الميادين #غزة_تهزم_الإبادة pic.twitter.com/c6lk73ur91
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) February 15, 2025
Exchange resumed after guarantees for occupation compliance: Hamas
Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif al-Qanou confirmed that today’s resumption of the exchange process was in line with the Resistance’s commitment to the mediators, having secured guarantees to ensure the occupation's compliance.
Al-Qanou added that the movement’s stance and the mediators’ efforts resulted in the occupation’s commitment to the agreement, noting that discussions are ongoing to monitor the situation and prepare for the negotiations of the agreement’s second phase.
He emphasized that "the occupation has no alternative but to release all its prisoners," and that this can only be achieved "by fully implementing the provisions of the ceasefire agreement."
According to al-Qanou, the ceasefire agreement has consequences that pose a threat to the future of Netanyahu's government, much like the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood, adding that Netanyahu’s procrastination and attempts to evade the agreement’s terms to protect himself and his government will not succeed, "as we will not allow the agreement to fail."
"We are waiting for the occupation to begin implementing the humanitarian protocol, as per the promises and guarantees made to us by the mediators."
Liberated Palestinian prisoners
In turn, 369 Palestinian detainees will be released from Israeli occupation prisons on Saturday, including 333 prisoners detained during the war on Gaza and 36 detainees serving life sentences.
For every Israeli captive released, 111 Palestinians detained in Gaza and 12 serving life sentences will be released.
According to Al Mayadeen's correspondent in the West Bank, 25 detainees will be deported to the Gaza Strip.
Among the detainees who will be released today from Israeli prisons:
- Ahmed Barghouti, the cousin and close aide of prisoner Marwan Barghouti; sentenced to 13 life terms.
- Mansour Shreim, a member of the Fatah movement, responsible for a series of operations that resulted in the deaths of many Israelis during the Second Intifada; sentenced to 14 life terms and an additional 50 years in prison.
- Mohammad Nayfeh Abu Rabia, a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades during the Second Intifada from Tulkarm; sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Waddah al-Bazra, a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Nablus during the Second Intifada; sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Ahmad Abu Khader, an official of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades; sentenced to 11 life terms and 50 years in prison.
