Egypt Daily News – Israeli Army Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi said on Saturday that the military is preparing “attack plans” in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Hamas movement called on Washington to “compel Israel” to adhere to the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip to ensure the safety of the hostages.
Additionally, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad movement released three Israeli hostages on Saturday who had been held in the enclave since the October 7, 2023 attack. In return, Israel released Palestinian detainees from its prisons in the sixth prisoner exchange as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu Expresses Appreciation for Trump’s “Absolute Support” for Israel’s Decisions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his appreciation on Saturday for the “absolute support” from former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Israel’s upcoming decisions on the Gaza Strip, following the exchange of three Israeli hostages for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
In a statement issued by his office, Netanyahu said, “President Trump’s firm stance led to the release of three of our hostages today, despite Hamas previously refusing to release them.” He added that he would convene a security cabinet meeting “as soon as possible to decide on Israel’s next steps.”
The Kremlin thanks Hamas for releasing the Russian-Israeli hostage (State Media)
The Kremlin expressed its gratitude on Saturday to the Palestinian Hamas movement for the release of a Russian-Israeli hostage from Gaza as part of another exchange deal with Israel. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, as quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency, stated, “Moscow welcomes the release of Alexander Trofanov (identified by Israel as Sasha Trofanov) and expresses its appreciation to Hamas leadership for making this decision.”
Palestinian Detainees Burn Prison Shirts Upon Arrival in Gaza
Hundreds of Palestinians welcomed detainees released by Israel on Saturday with cheers and ululations as part of the sixth exchange deal with Hamas. However, upon stepping off the buses, some of the freed detainees immediately set fire to their prison shirts.
According to AFP correspondents, dozens of detainees removed the cotton shirts they were wearing, piled them up, and ignited them. The crowd surrounding them chanted various slogans, including “With our souls and blood, we sacrifice for you, O prisoner.”
The released detainees, all men of various ages, were dressed in white cotton shirts bearing the Star of David and the logo of the Israeli Prison Service. The shirts also had Arabic text reading “We do not forget, we do not forgive,” words that quickly turned to ashes in the burning pile.
