Tel Aviv, Israel – Hamas on Saturday released three Israeli hostages from captivity in two separate handovers, marking a significant development in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The three hostages, Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Kalderon, were held captive in Gaza for 484 days and were returned to Israeli soil in a remarkably orderly ceremony. Siegle, 65, an American living in Israel, is the first American released since the ceasefire began on January 19. Kalderon, 54, also holds French citizenship, and Bibas, whose family has become prominent in the Palestinian hostage crisis, was released with a somber reunion with his family.
In exchange, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, including 18 serving life sentences, most of whom had been detained in Gaza since October 7, 2023, with no public charges against them.
The release of the hostages and prisoners was a significant step towards implementing the agreement signed in Qatar last month, which called for a ceasefire and the beginning of a second phase of negotiations. The ceasefire has seen the opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, allowing a group of Palestinian civilians, mostly children, to be evacuated for medical treatment.
The release came after chaotic scenes earlier in the week, when the handover of two Israeli and five Thai hostages in Khan Younis, Gaza, was marred by disorderly crowds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had demanded assurances from intermediaries that the scenes would not be repeated, and it appears that the message was received. Hamas’ militants on Saturday paraded the hostages on stage and whisked them away to be transferred to the Israeli military in a more controlled and dignified manner.
The release of the prisoners was also met with jubilation, as crowds gathered in Ramallah to welcome the freed Palestinians. Some of those released were taken to hospitals due to their health condition. The development marked a significant step towards easing tensions in the region, with Gershon Baskin, a veteran Israeli negotiator, stating that “Hamas may be able to make a strong show of their control, but the people of Gaza have witnessed the destruction all around them and hold Hamas responsible, along with Israel of course.”