The Izz al-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced on Friday that three Israeli captives will be released on Saturday as part of the sixth exchange in the ongoing first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

The captives, who were identified as Iair Horn (46), Sagui Dekel Chen (36), and Sasha Troufanov (29), are set to be freed, with Troufanov’s release coordinated by the Quds Brigades of Islamic Jihad, as confirmed by its spokesperson, Abu Hamza.

In exchange, Israel is expected to release 369 Palestinian prisoners, including 36 individuals serving life sentences and 333 detained following the escalation of violence after October 7, 2023.

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions, with Hamas previously threatening to indefinitely postpone the release due to alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. According to Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas has been closely monitoring Israel’s actions, which include obstructing the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, targeting civilians across the Strip, and blocking humanitarian aid deliveries.

Hamas has accused Israel of undermining the ceasefire deal, pointing to Israeli statements that suggest reluctance to advance to the second phase of the agreement. Israeli media reports have echoed these concerns, alleging that the Israeli delegation sent to Qatar for negotiations lacks real authority and is merely a symbolic gesture, reflecting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intent to stall progress.

Despite these challenges, Egyptian sources reported on Friday that mediation efforts to salvage the ceasefire deal are yielding positive results. Key issues, such as the approval of humanitarian organizations to deliver aid to Gaza and the authorization of prefabricated homes and tents into the Strip, have been resolved. These developments aim to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where aid deliveries have been severely restricted.

The ceasefire deal, part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate the conflict, has faced repeated setbacks. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) recently rejected a proposed Gaza plan by former U.S. President Donald Trump, while continuing to push for increased aid to the region. Hamas’ leadership has expressed skepticism about Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire, accusing the Israeli government of using delays and violations to derail the process.

As both sides prepare for Saturday’s exchange, the fragile ceasefire hangs in the balance, with international mediators working to prevent a collapse of the agreement. The release of captives and prisoners is seen as a critical step toward rebuilding trust, though underlying tensions and unresolved issues continue to threaten long-term stability. (ILKHA)