Third round of prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel successfully completed
Five Thai hostages are seen arriving ahead of the handover to the members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by Hamas as part of the exchanges of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners under the ongoing Gaza ceasefire agreement in Khan Yunis, Gaza on January 30, 2025. ( Ashraf Amra - Anadolu Agency )
A Red Cross convoy carrying 110 Palestinian prisoners released in the third round of prisoner exchanges between Hamas and Israel has departed from Israel’s Ofer Prison on Thursday evening. The prisoner swap is continuing following the ceasefire agreement between Gaza and Israel.
According to a report by Israeli state television Kan, based on security sources, issues previously raised by Israel in relation to the prisoner exchange have been resolved following talks with mediators. Specifically, problems related to the delayed release of Palestinian prisoners, which were linked to the events surrounding the release of prisoners from the city of Khan Yunis in Gaza, have now been addressed.
The third round of the prisoner swap saw 110 Palestinian prisoners freed, and the Red Cross convoy left Ofer Prison in Israel, marking a significant step forward in the exchange process.
Hamas hands over three Israeli prisoners to Red Cross
In the third round of the prisoner swap, three Israeli prisoners held in Gaza were handed over to Red Cross teams. These included Agam Berger, an Israeli female soldier, who was transferred to the Red Cross in Jabalya. Before her handover, Berger, dressed in her military uniform, greeted the people of Gaza from a platform before being escorted into the Red Cross vehicle and leaving the area.
Alongside Berger, two other Israeli prisoners, Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses, an 80-year-old, were also released, along with five Thai citizens who had been held in Gaza.
Following instructions from President Erdogan, the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) facilitated the release of the five Thai hostages held in Gaza today, as part of ongoing intelligence diplomacy with Hamas.
Israeli raids in West Bank ongoing
As the third round of the prisoner swap continued, Israeli police conducted raids on the homes of Palestinian families in occupied East Jerusalem, whose relatives were expected to be freed under the terms of the swap agreement.
Palestinian families had been waiting for their release as part of the third round of the exchange, but Israeli forces raided several homes in East Jerusalem, warning families not to celebrate or even gather at their homes. Additionally, some families of prisoners were summoned to the Meskubiyeh Police Center in Jerusalem.
