The three hostages being released from the Gaza Strip

Within the past week, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip seemed to be on the brink of collapse, but this was averted.

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad now intend to release three more hostages on Saturday after nearly 500 days in captivity after mediation talks were held in Egypt.

The three Israelis all lived in the Nir Oz Kibbutz, which is close to the Gaza Strip and was severely ravaged during the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023.

The three men are:

SaguiDekel-Chen

Sagui Dekel-Chen attempted to fend off the terrorists who entered the border town, his father, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, told dpa last summer. The pregnant wife of the 36-year-old and their two young daughters survived the terror attack in their home's shelter, Jonathan Dekel-Chen said.

During his captivity, Sagui Dekel-Chen, who is also a US citizen, became a father for the third time. He also missed his youngest daughter's first birthday. His wife reportedly told Israeli media that their eldest daughter asks every day if her father will return.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen stated that he anticipates his son faces a long and difficult road back to normal life after the ongoing torture in captivity.

Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov

According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Alexander Troufanov, 29, worked as an engineer. The man, who is also a Russian citizen, goes by the Russian diminutive for Alexander, Sasha.

During the terror attack, Troufanov's father was killed, and his mother, grandmother and partner were also abducted. The three women were freed under the first ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in November 2023.

The young man is in the custody of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The terrorist organization released several videos of the 29-year-old. In a clip from November 2024, Troufanov described, among other things, the harsh conditions of his captivity.

"I am happy to see that my son is alive and able to survive under the horrific circumstances of captivity," his mother said following the release of the footage. However, in his face, she said she saw despair and hopelessness, and she was concerned about his physical and mental health.

Russia also got involved in the case and insisted, according to its own statements to senior Hamas representatives, that Troufanov be released under the agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Moscow traditionally maintains close relations with many Palestinian organizations, including Hamas. Citing Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov, Israeli media reported that Troufanov's health is not good. He is said to have been injured during his abduction.

Iair Horn

According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, 46-year-old Iair Horn was born in Argentina, and the family later emigrated to Israel.

Terrorists abducted Horn more than 16 months ago from his home. His younger brother, who was visiting at the time, was also seized. He remains held in the Gaza Strip.

According to Israeli media, it was only when the first hostages were freed in November 2023 that the family learned he was still alive.

Horn is known as a huge football fan. Reports indicate he also organized parties in the kibbutz and was responsible for the local pub.