On January 30, 2025, a third hostage-prisoner exchange took place under a Gaza ceasefire, resulting in the release of three Israeli hostages after 15 months of captivity. Hamas and Palestinian factions released these hostages, alongside Thai nationals, in return for 110 Palestinians held by Israeli authorities. Amid this exchange, Israel halted its collaboration with the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), which UN chief Antonio Guterres has called irreplaceable. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized the chaotic scenes during the hostage handover, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region.
"I view with great severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages. This is yet another proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the Hamas terrorist organization," Netanyahu said in a statement posted on X.
UN chief Antonio Guterres has called on Israel to rescind its decision to cut ties with UNRWA, saying the agency was "irreplaceable."
The third hostage-prisoner swap under the recent Gaza ceasefire deal will see Hamas and other Palestinian groups release Israeli and Thai hostages in return for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Israeli TV footage showed gunmen struggling to control hundreds of Gazans who had gathered to witness the hostage handover in Khan Younis.
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