Three Israeli Hostages Freed After 498 Days in Captivity

On Saturday, February 15, three Israeli hostages were released as part of a new exchange between Israel and Hamas. Sasha Troufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn, who were abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, have regained their freedom after 498 days in captivity. In return, Israel is set to release 369 Palestinian prisoners throughout the day.

A Release Overseen by the Red Cross

The three hostages were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) before being transferred to Israel. Prior to their release, they were paraded on a stage in Khan Younis, surrounded by Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters, and forced to briefly address a gathered crowd. Once in Israel, they will undergo medical examinations before reuniting with their families.

Who Are the Released Hostages?

Sasha Troufanov, 29

Born in Russia, Sasha Troufanov emigrated to Israel with his family as a child. A microelectronics engineer, he worked for a company now owned by Amazon. He was captured along with his mother, grandmother, and partner—all three of whom were freed in November 2023. He spent over a year in the hands of Islamic Jihad, which released several videos of him during his captivity.

Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36

This Israeli-American lived in Nir Oz with his family. A committed entrepreneur, he renovated old buses and ran a mobile grocery store. During the October 7 attack, after ensuring his pregnant wife and children were safe, he volunteered to defend the kibbutz before being captured. His mother was also abducted but managed to escape following an Israeli airstrike. Sagui Dekel-Chen learned about the birth of his third daughter after his release.

Yair Horn, 46

An Israeli-Argentinian, Yair Horn was an active member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he ran a pub and organized community events. He was kidnapped along with his brother Eitan, who remains in captivity in Gaza.

A Sixth Exchange Amid Tensions

Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, several exchanges of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners have taken place. However, uncertainty remains, with 70 hostages still held in Gaza, at least 35 of whom are believed to be deceased. This latest exchange comes as U.S. Secretary of State Mario Rubio is expected to arrive in Israel later in the evening.