Hamas Releases Three Israeli Hostages, Israel Frees 183 Palestinian Prisoners in Ceasefire Deal
Hamas militants released three Israeli hostages, including two men and a woman, who were seized during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war between Israel and Hamas. The releases were part of a ceasefire deal that has halted 15 months of intense fighting.
The three hostages, Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon, and Keith Siegel, were handed over to Red Cross officials in the Gaza Strip. Bibas and Kalderon were released in the southern city of Khan Younis, while Siegel, who looked pale and thin, was released in Gaza City.
The releases bring to 18 the number of hostages released since the ceasefire began on January 19. The deal also calls for the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
In a separate development, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners from its jails, with most being released to Gaza and a few dozen returning to the occupied West Bank. The releases were part of the ceasefire deal and aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas.
The ceasefire has held for two weeks, allowing for increased aid to flow into the Gaza Strip and for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes. The deal also calls for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing to Egypt, which was closed by Israel nine months ago.
The releases were met with jubilation in Israel, with thousands of people gathering in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to watch the releases being transmitted live on a large screen. Crowds of well-wishers greeted the released prisoners, cheering and hoisting them on their shoulders in scenes of jubilation.
The release of the hostages and prisoners is seen as a major breakthrough in the ceasefire deal, which is aimed at ending the war and paving the way for a lasting peace. However, the deal is fragile, and both sides are still negotiating the terms of the agreement.
The war has caused widespread destruction and loss of life, with over 1,200 people killed, mostly civilians, and thousands more injured. The conflict has also displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread economic hardship.
