An Israeli official announced on Wednesday that Hamas will release three Israeli hostages, including two women and an 80-year-old man, along with five Thai nationals during the next hostage exchange scheduled for Thursday. The Israeli women have been identified as Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Agam Berger, 19, while the elderly man is named Gadi Mozes. The official disclosed that the release of these hostages is an essential part of a continuing ceasefire agreement designed to ease tensions between Israel and Hamas. The agreement also aims at releasing other hostages held by Hamas in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The announcement of this imminent release comes as part of the fragile ceasefire which has been in place since early this month, following escalating violence that erupted after Hamas' assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. This 15-month-long conflict has led to significant casualties, with reports indicating that over 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have died amidst the fighting. Furthermore, about 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have faced displacement at least once.

The release order, which was not initially scheduled, came about as a result of intense negotiations that included pressure from international officials and U.S. intermediaries. Former President Donald Trump had earlier made an ultimatum regarding the swift return of hostages, exacerbating diplomatic tensions as he suggested that Egypt and Jordan should accommodate displaced Palestinians from Gaza. Both nations have historically rejected such proposals, fearing that resettling Palestinians would undermine the potential for a two-state solution.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi responded to Trump’s suggestions by declaring them unjust and reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to the two-state solution. During a news conference in Cairo, el-Sisi rejected the idea of transferring Palestinians, stating, “The solution is not to remove the Palestinian people from their place.”

The ongoing conflict has also aggravated fears among Palestinians regarding permanent displacement, reflecting deep-rooted historical grievances related to land and identity. As the situation evolves, further hostage releases are anticipated, with additional exchanges expected to take place in the coming days.

For more details, refer to the reports by SCMP, HuffPost, and Los Angeles Times.