The militant group Hamas has released the names of three hostages set to be freed on Saturday as part of a prisoner exchange agreement with Israel, amid escalating tensions that have put the fragile ceasefire at risk.

The individuals slated for release are Russian-Israeli citizen Alexander Troufanov, 29, Argentine-Israeli Yair Horn, 46, and US-Israeli national Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36.

All three were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz, located near the Gaza border, during the deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli government has issued a stark warning that military operations will resume if the three hostages are not released as scheduled.

The declaration follows an earlier statement by Hamas suggesting a delay in the release due to what the group claims are Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Ceasefire on Shaky Ground

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has been under persistent strain. Since its commencement, 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been freed in exchange for 766 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Under the agreed terms, a total of 33 hostages are expected to be released in the first six-week phase in return for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.

However, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement. Israel has expressed outrage over the manner in which hostages have been released—often paraded before armed militants in front of large crowds before being handed over to the Red Cross in chaotic circumstances.

Meanwhile, Hamas has alleged that Israel has failed to allow an agreed-upon quantity of humanitarian aid and tents into Gaza. Israel has denied these claims.

International Pressure Mounts

The ceasefire agreement has been brokered through intense diplomatic efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. However, pressure is mounting from global leaders for a broader resolution.

Former US President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation, asserting that the ceasefire should be scrapped if Hamas fails to release all the hostages held in Gaza by midday on Saturday. His remarks highlight the increasing impatience in Washington over the pace of hostage releases.

War’s Toll on Both Sides

The ongoing conflict has exacted a devastating toll on both sides. The war erupted on October 7 when Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

In response, Israel initiated a military offensive in Gaza, which has since resulted in the deaths of more than 48,230 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the enclave. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with severe shortages of medical supplies, food, and shelter.

The Hostages Still in Captivity

As of now, 73 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza. Additionally, three Israeli hostages—one of whom is believed to be deceased—have been held captive in the territory for over a decade.

Families of the hostages have been campaigning relentlessly for their loved ones’ return, urging the Israeli government to prioritize negotiations over military escalation. “Every day in captivity is another day of suffering,” said one family member of a hostage still in Gaza.

Tensions Escalate on the Ground

Meanwhile, sporadic violence continues to threaten the truce. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently released footage showing what they claim was a rocket launched from Gaza on Thursday that misfired and landed within the enclave.

A Hamas-run police source, however, disputed this account, stating that the explosion resulted from an unexploded Israeli ordnance that detonated while being moved.

In a separate incident, West Bank-based Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that a 14-year-old boy, Hammoudeh Alaa Saud, was killed in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp on Thursday by an Israeli ordnance explosion.

What Comes Next?

Despite the high stakes, efforts by international mediators continue in an attempt to preserve the ceasefire. Diplomatic negotiations remain fluid, with all eyes on the scheduled release of Troufanov, Horn, and Dekel-Chen.

Should the release proceed as planned, it could provide a much-needed reprieve and possibly pave the way for further exchanges. However, if the handover is delayed or called off, Israel is poised to resume military action, which could escalate the conflict once again.

As Saturday approaches, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes human lives over continued violence.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members