Hostage exchange amid ceasefire: Hamas releases three Israelis for 183 Palestinians

Saturday 01 February 2025 - 10:33

In a continuation of a negotiated prisoner exchange, the Palestinian group Hamas has released three Israeli captives in two separate transfers, aligning with a ceasefire agreement that ended 15 months of conflict in Gaza.

French-Israeli national Ofer Kalderon and Israeli citizen Yarden Bibas were handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza. However, the whereabouts of Bibas' wife and two young children, also taken captive, remain unknown. Over an hour later, American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel was similarly released in Gaza City.

The transfers took place under the supervision of Hamas fighters, who managed the process. The freed captives were seen waving to gathered Palestinians before being transported to Israel, where they underwent medical evaluations and were reunited with their families.

This latest exchange follows previous releases and reinforces Hamas' continued operational presence in Gaza despite prolonged Israeli military actions. Experts note that, contrary to claims of Hamas’ elimination, the group's ability to coordinate such exchanges demonstrates its enduring control in the region.

As part of the ceasefire deal, Israel is set to release 183 Palestinian detainees, including 111 individuals apprehended following the events of October 7, 2023. In total, around 4,500 Palestinians remain imprisoned in Israel, with 310 held under administrative detention without trial.

Meanwhile, discussions are scheduled to take place in the coming days regarding the release of additional Israeli captives, further Palestinian detainees, and a potential withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza under a second phase of the agreement.

In a related development, the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is expected to reopen to facilitate the evacuation of critically ill and injured Palestinians, alongside the delivery of humanitarian aid. The initial phase will allow 50 Palestinian patients to leave Gaza, each accompanied by up to three family members.

The conflict, triggered by the October 7 Hamas-led attack that resulted in 1,139 Israeli deaths and over 250 captives, has left Gaza devastated. Israeli military actions in response have led to the deaths of more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.