One of the three Israeli hostages released by Hamas in Gaza has learnt the name of his young daughter for the first time, during an emotional reunion with his family after 498 days in captivity.

Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, when his wife Avita was heavily pregnant with the couple’s third child.

Their daughter was born two months after he was taken by Hamas.

In video released by the Israeli government on Saturday, Mr Dekel-Chen smiled as he was told the little girl was named Shachar Mazal.

“Perfect,” he responded, as he kissed his wife.

Mr Dekel-Chen had left his wife and two daughters in the safe room of their house, as armed Hamas gunmen tore through their community, which was near the Gaza border.

He was released along with fellow hostages Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn, who were also taken from Nir Oz.

The trio were embraced by their families at the Re’im military base in southern Israel, before being flown to hospitals in Tel Aviv for further medical treatment and reunions.

“The strength of the returning captives and their families evokes hope for growth in dealing with the pain,” the Israeli health ministry’s Hagar Mizrahi said.

“In addition, in these complex days, it is important to remember those who are not with us and who paid the ultimate price in order for us to reach this day, as well as those who were injured in body and soul.”

Cecilia Cohen, a friend of the Horn family, watched from Hostage Square in Tel Aviv as the men were freed.

“One girl that I don’t know, I don’t know her name, I don’t remember her face — she gave me a handkerchief to wipe my tears,” she told the ABC.

Ms Cohen said while there was great relief being felt, Iair Horn’s brother was still being held hostage.

“It’s a mixture between sadness and happiness,” she said.

“But we are waiting for the other brother, Eitan, who is still a hostage in Gaza.

“It was really shaky — I’m sad and happy at the same time.”

Freed Palestinians burn T-shirts in Gaza

Shortly after the three Israelis crossed the border from Gaza, buses of Palestinian prisoners and detainees rolled out of jails across Israel.

Thirty-six people convicted of crimes such as terrorist attacks against Israelis dating back two decades were freed, with some deported immediately to Egypt.

Among them is Ahmad Barghouti, who had been serving 13 life sentences for involvement in attacks that killed 12 Israelis during the Second Intifada.

A total of 333 Palestinians detained during the war in Gaza were returned to the war-ravaged strip, with family members clamouring to see them.

The most eager climbed up the sides of buses to hug and kiss those freed, through the windows of the vehicles.

Many of those who returned to Gaza accused Israeli authorities of beatings and mistreatment while behind bars, with their concerns echoed by the Palestinian Prisoners Media Office, which has been monitoring the releases under the ceasefire deal.

“The effects of torture and oppression were clear on the prisoners’ bodies, which calls for a firm stance to hold the occupation accountable for its crimes,” the agency said in a statement.

“Just as the occupation demands the return of its prisoners, our prisoners have the right to freedom and dignity.”

In recent weeks, the Israeli government had criticised Hamas for the clothing they released hostages in — particularly young female Israeli Defense Forces personnel, paraded in their uniforms on stage before being handed over to the Red Cross.

The Israeli Prison Service released Palestinians on Saturday wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the Star of David, the symbol of the Jewish faith and the Israeli state, and the phrase “we will not forgive or forget” in Arabic.

The decision has prompted accusations of double standards, and some freed Palestinians were seen burning the shirts in the street shortly after arriving in Gaza.

Concerns over ceasefire as negotiations continue

With the sixth hostage and prisoner handover complete, at the end of the fourth week of the Gaza ceasefire, attention is turning to the future of the truce.

The current deal lapses on March 2, and the ‘phase two’ talks on what happens after that deadline have been derailed and delayed during the past fortnight.

On Saturday night local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting with security officials to discuss his country’s position going into those negotiations.

He is facing pressure at home, particularly from the families of hostages still held in Gaza, to extend the ceasefire to ensure all Israelis can be brought home.

There are still 14 hostages slated for return before the March 2 deadline, and eight of those are dead.

Dozens more hostages remain in captivity, and would only be released if a new deal is struck.

Shay Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel Gat was murdered while she was held hostage in Gaza, watched the latest release in Hostage Square on Saturday.

“I know the consequences of a deal breaking down,” she told the ABC.

“And this time, we might be able to hold on, retain this deal until the last hostage is back.”

Israel had amassed troops and tanks along the Gaza border, in the event the ceasefire collapsed this weekend.

Outgoing IDF chief Herzi Halevi posted on social media that Israel was doing everything it could to bring hostages home.

“We are investing in many efforts for this purpose, and at the same time, we are preparing offensive plans,” he posted.

ABC