Key Takeaways:

• Three Israeli hostages, including US-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, have been released by Hamas.
• The release is part of a ceasefire agreement that paved the way for an exchange of 369 Palestinian prisoners.
• Tensions persist, with both sides accusing each other of breaking ceasefire terms and ongoing discussions led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, Hamas has confirmed the release of three Israeli hostages as part of a delicate truce that has been in effect since January 19. The hostages—American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn, 46, and Russian-Israeli Sasha Troufanov, 29—were handed over in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis. This transaction marked the sixth round of hostages exchanged under the fragile ceasefire deal.

The release came in exchange for the liberation of 369 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, a move that has drawn mixed reactions. According to Palestinian advocacy groups, this swap is part of the first phase of a larger agreement aimed at easing tensions and negotiating future terms for peace in the region.

However, mere hours before the exchange, there were serious doubts about whether Hamas would proceed with the release, after accusations was made regarding Israel's possible violations of the ceasefire agreement, including delays in humanitarian aid and military actions in Gaza. These tensions prompted warnings from President Donald Trump, who stated that "all hell would break out" if the hostages were not returned.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the successful retrieval of the hostages, who appeared in significantly better health than those released in prior exchanges. In videos shared by the Israeli military, Dekel-Chen was seen reuniting with his family, including his wife, Avital, who revealed to him the name of their newborn daughter—Shachar Mazal.

Israeli officials remain cautiously optimistic, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu crediting both Trump’s firm stance and military preparedness for the successful hostage release. Following this exchange, Rubio is set to discuss future plans for the region, including Trump's controversial proposal for the Gaza Strip, which faces severe backlash from multiple nations.

Despite the recent progress, the situation remains precarious. Over 70 hostages are still in Gaza, with ongoing discussions about their potential release stalled amid rising political tensions and accusations from both Hamas and Israel.

For further updates on this evolving situation, refer to the detail on Reuters and BBC News.