Hamas Announces Release of Three Israeli Hostages, Including American Dual National
Hamas has announced the release of three Israeli hostages, including an American dual national, who are to be freed from Gaza on Saturday. The three men are Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Kalderon.
Siegel, an Israeli-American citizen, was taken from his home in kibbutz Kfar Aza. His wife, Aviva, was released in November as part of a ceasefire deal. Bibas was kidnapped with his wife, Shiri, and their two sons, Kfir and Ariel. Kfir was nine months old at the time of the kidnapping. Hamas claimed that Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel were killed in an Israeli airstrike, but Israel never confirmed their deaths.
Kalderon was kidnapped with his son, Erez, and daughter, Sahar. Erez and Sahar were also released in November.
The families of the hostages have been informed of their release, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum has confirmed the names of the released hostages.
The release of the three men is part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, under which Israel is releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. In exchange, Hamas is releasing six Israeli and three Thai hostages. Eight of the 23 remaining hostages have been confirmed dead, according to the Israeli government.
The release of the hostages has been marred by chaos, with Palestinian crowds forcing Israeli and Thai hostages to walk through jeering crowds during their release on Thursday. Israeli leaders have condemned the scenes and demanded guarantees that they will not be repeated.
The country is expected to open its border crossing with Egypt, allowing sick and wounded Palestinian militants and civilians to leave Gaza, if the release of the three hostages goes smoothly. The World Health Organization has welcomed the opening of the border, saying it will be the first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began.