11:51 – WATCH: Hostage families watch return of hostages to Israel
The IDF released footage showing the families of Sagui Dekel-Chen and Yair Horn watching their loved ones return to Israel.
Watch the moment of relief and joy as the families of Sagui Dekel-Chen and Iair Horn watched their loved ones return to Israel. pic.twitter.com/FDDl2LUCgt
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 15, 2025
11:34 – Israel starts release of 369 prisoners after hostages return to Israel
Israel began the release procedure of 369 Palestinian prisoners after three Israeli hostages were released from Gaza earlier in the morning, Israeli media reported.
11:18 – Returning hostages undergo medical checks at reception point
Alex Trupanov, Yair Horn and Sagui Dekel-Chen are now undergoing initial medical assessments at the reception point, the IDF stated.
“IDF representatives are accompanying their families waiting at the hospital and updating them with the latest available information,” the army added.
11:11 – ‘Hamas backed down’, Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declares
After creating a “fake crisis” through “false claims,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declared that today’s return of three hostages showed that Hamas had “backed down.”
“This week, again, Hamas attempted to violate the agreement and create a false crisis under false claims. Due to the concentration of our forces inside the Strip and around it, and to President Trump’s clear and unequivocal statement, Hamas backed down, and the release of the hostages proceeded.”
“We are working in full coordination with the United States in order to free all of our hostages – the living and the deceased – as soon as possible; and are preparing with full intensity for what comes next, in every sense,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated.
11:06 – At reception point: Alex Trupanov told about death of father; Sagui Dekel-Chen informed about birth of daughter
According to a report by Channel 12 News, the freed hostages reached the reception point in Re’im, near the Gaza border.
There, Alex Trupanov was reportedly told about the murder of his father by Hamas on Oct. 7.
Sagui Dekel-Chen was informed about the birth of his daughter Shahar while he was in captivity, the report added.
10:56 – Horn family announces: ‘Our Yair is home’
The family of former hostage Yair Horn stated: “After 498 days, Yair is returning to our home. Now, we can breathe a little. Our Yair is home after surviving hell and inferno in Gaza.”
“Now, all that remains is to bring Eitan back so that our family can truly breathe,” the family said. Yair’s brother Eitan was kidnapped together with him from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
The family also thanked the security forces and the Nir Oz community.
“We will not stop and will continue to work to return Eitan and all the other hostages home,” the Horn family added.
10:46 – Freed hostages cross the Israeli border
Alex Trupanov, Yair Horn and Sagui Dekel-Chen have crossed into Israeli territory, the IDF announced.
“A short while ago, accompanied by IDF and ISA forces, the returning hostages crossed the border into Israeli territory. The returning hostages are currently on their way to an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with members of their families.”
As of today, 73 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip.
After 498 days, Alexandre, Sagui and Iair are finally home.
pic.twitter.com/JqM1SThbBQ
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 15, 2025
10:35 – Freed hostages are being escorted to Israel by IDF troops
“Three returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF special forces and Shin Bet forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment,” the IDF announced.
“The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel,” the army added.
10:20 – IDF confirms: Three hostages are in the hands of Red Cross, on the way to freedom
The three hostages were handed over to the Red Cross and are being taken to an IDF post in the Gaza Strip, the IDF announced.
“According to information provided by the Red Cross, three abductees have been handed over to it and are making their way to IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip,” the military stated.
10:08 – Hamas parades hostages on stage, forces them to give speech
Alex Trupanov, Yair Horn and Sagui Dekel-Chen were taken out of the van and forced to give speeches on the stage.
According to Israeli media outlets, which are not carrying the forced speeches, the hostages conveyed messages calling on the Israeli government to continue the ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Their medical condition appears to be better than the condition of the three hostages released last week.
Hostages Sagui Dekel Chen, Sasha Troufanov, and Iair Horn are handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross at a stage set up by the terror group in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis. pic.twitter.com/dv9LznkAtj
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 15, 2025
10:03 – Red Cross representative signs Hamas ‘release documents’
A representative of the Red Cross signed Hamas’s “release documents” on the stage in Khan Younis.
Before going on stage, the representative opened the door and looked into the van carrying the hostages, which hadn’t happened in previous release ceremonies over the past weeks.
09:57 – Hamas van carrying hostages arrives in Khan Younis
A Hamas van carrying the three hostages who are set to be released arrived at the stage in Khan Younis.
The van carries the symbol of Hamas’s “Shadow Unit,” which is tasked with holding and hiding Israeli hostages.
09:43 – Red Cross vehicles arrive at handover point
Vehicles of the Red Cross arrived at the handover point in Khan Younis as the release ceremony of the hostages is about to begin.
Saturday morning – Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad prepare for release
The terror groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad cleared a square and set up a stage in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis in preparation for the release of the Israeli hostages Alex Trupanov, Yair Horn and Sagui Dekel-Chen.
According to Hamas-affiliated media outlets, the hostages will be forced to give short speeches in Hebrew before their handover to the Red Cross.
Numerous masked and armed terrorists are positioned around the square and are holding back crowds of onlookers.
Members of Hamas arrive at the site in Khan Yunis where the hostages will be transferred to the Red Cross. pic.twitter.com/VVJakWS7Bo
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) February 15, 2025
