Ramallah, Feb 15: The Israeli authorities on Saturday released 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from its jails as part of the sixth batch of prisoner-for-hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas.

Abdullah al-Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, told news agency that among the freed prisoners were 36 serving life sentences, and 333 detainees who had been arrested by Israel from the Gaza Strip following the October 7, 2023 attack.

Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses said that the prisoners were received in the courtyard of the Ramallah Cultural Palace in the presence of the Red Cross and their families.

Before the release of the prisoners, eyewitnesses said that Israeli forces stormed the city of Beitunia, west of Ramallah, to prevent Palestinians from assembling near the gate of Ofer prison, where the prisoners were being freed.

Earlier on Saturday, the Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad released three Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The Israeli authorities have confirmed their arrival in Israel.

The freed hostages — Alexandre Sasha Troufanov, a 29-year-old Israeli-Russian citizen; Sagui Dekel-Chen, a 36-year-old Israeli-American citizen; and Iair Horn, a 46-year-old Israeli-Argentine citizen — were kidnapped in the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Troufanov was kidnapped along with his mother, grandmother, and partner, and the three women were released in a previous hostage deal in November 2023. His father was killed on the day of the kidnapping.

Dekel-Chen, a father of three, had a daughter born after his abduction. Horn’s brother, Eitan, remains in captivity in Gaza.

“Thanks to the concentration of our forces in and around the Gaza Strip, and thanks to the clear and unequivocal statement of US President Donald Trump, Hamas has withdrawn and the release of the hostages continues,” said a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump warned on Monday that if “all of the hostages” in Gaza were not freed by noon on Saturday, the truce would be called off, and he would “let hell break out.”

Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, effective since January 19 and spanning six weeks, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians. So far, 19 Israeli hostages, along with five Thais, have been released.

Gaza, Feb 15: Hamas has confirmed that three Israeli hostages will be released on Saturday, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

According to Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, the three hostages are Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, a 29-year-old c-Russian civilian; Sagui Dekel-Chen, a 36-year-old Israeli-American civilian; and Yair Horn, a 46-year-old Israeli.

Israel has confirmed receipt of the list of hostages to be freed from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip. The list was delivered through Qatari and Egyptian mediators. Initially, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the list was “acceptable by Israel,” but a spokesman later clarified that the statement was purely factual, and Israel’s position on the matter remained neutral.

“This is a purely factual description and does not reflect any Israeli position on the matter,” the spokesman clarified.

In exchange, Israel will release 369 Palestinian prisoners today, including 333 who will be sent back to Gaza. Ten others will be returned to their homes in the West Bank, and one will be released in East Jerusalem.

Additionally, 25 prisoners who are serving life sentences will either be deported to Gaza or sent abroad via Egypt.

This exchange is part of ongoing efforts to ease tensions and maintain the ceasefire, though the future of the broader peace process remains uncertain.

This will mark the sixth batch of prisoner-for-hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas under the ceasefire agreement that took effect on January 19.

The anticipated release comes amid heightened tensions after US President Donald Trump warned that if “all of the hostages” in Gaza were not freed by Saturday at noon, the truce would be canceled, and he would “let hell break out.” Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed the warning, saying Israel would resume its onslaught on Gaza.

New Delhi, Feb 14: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday revealed that a Russian drone hit the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the site of the infamous 1986 nuclear disaster.

The drone hit occurred on the night of February 13, and Zelensky shared footage of the aftermath on social media platform X, drawing attention to the devastating implications of this strike.

Zelensky stated, “Last night, a Russian attack drone, armed with a high-explosive warhead, struck the shelter that protects the world from radiation at the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. This shelter was a collaborative effort built by Ukraine alongside European countries, the United States, and the global community — all of whom are committed to ensuring real security for humanity.”

He went on to condemn Russia’s actions, asserting, “The only country in the world that would attack such sites, occupy nuclear power plants, and wage war with no regard for the consequences is today’s Russia. This is not just an attack on Ukraine, but a terrorist threat to the entire world.”

The Chernobyl shelter, which houses the remains of reactor Number 4, was significantly damaged by the drone strike. However, Zelensky confirmed that the fire caused by the explosion had been extinguished.

“Radiation levels remain stable, and they are being constantly monitored,” he reassured, though he noted that initial assessments indicated considerable damage to the facility.

In his post, Zelensky also highlighted the ongoing nature of Russia’s aggression: “Every night, Russia continues to carry out attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and cities. Russia’s actions reveal its increasing militarization and continued disregard for human life. These actions demonstrate that President Putin is not preparing for negotiations; instead, he is preparing to deceive the world further. The international community must unite in its pressure on the aggressor — Russia must be held accountable for its actions.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also shared this on social media platform ‘X.’ The IAEA team stationed at the facility confirmed hearing an explosion emanating from the New Safe Confinement, the structure that envelops the remains of Reactor 4, designed to prevent further radiation exposure.

The IAEA shared on social media that an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) had struck the roof of the confinement, leading to the explosion and fire.