Three more Israeli hostages released in latest Gaza exchange

(CLO) On February 1, three more human hostages were returned by Hamas and dozens of Palestinian prisoners were also released by Israel under the framework of the ceasefire in Gaza.

Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel and Ofer Kalderon have all become household names in Israel since they were kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The campaign for their release has attracted strong public support.

Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas were handed over to Red Cross officials in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis before being transferred to Israel. Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American, was handed over separately at the Gaza City seaport.

The hostages to be released on February 1, from left to right: Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel and Ofer Calderon. Photo: Bring Them Home

Hours later, the first 183 Palestinian prisoners released under the exchange program disembarked from a bus in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, where they were greeted by large crowds.

At the newly reopened Rafah crossing on the southern border, the first Palestinian patients were allowed to leave Gaza, including children with cancer and heart disease, who are expected to travel to Egypt on buses provided by the World Health Organization.

The handover brings the total number of hostages released so far to 18, including five Thais who were part of an unscheduled release on January 30.

Following the February 4 exchange, Israel will release 583 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including militants serving life sentences for deadly attacks as well as some held during the war but not charged.

In Israel, crowds gathered at Tel Aviv's Hostage Square to watch the handover ceremony on a giant outdoor screen. Cheers, applause and tears were heard as the three men emerged in the morning.

Yarden Bibas with his wife Shiri and children, Kfir (left) and Ariel (right), before being kidnapped by Hamas in October 2023. Photo: X

Yarden Bibas, 35, along with his wife and two young children, were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. Video footage of the abduction shows Shiri wrapping her two young children, including then-nine-month-old Kfir, in a blanket as Hamas gunmen took them away.

Keith Siegel, 65, was kidnapped with his wife, Aviva Siegel, at Kibbutz Kfar Aza. His wife was released as part of a ceasefire deal in November 2023.

The third hostage is Ofer Kalderon, 54, a French-Israeli citizen, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz with his two children and ex-wife - who were released in a hostage swap in November.

Hoai Phuong (according to Guardian, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/them-3-hostages-israel-duoc-tha-trong-cuoc-trao-doi-moi-nhat-o-gaza-post332585.html