Hamas Releases Two More Hostages as Part of Ceasefire Deal, With Palestinian Prisoner Exchange Set to Follow
Hamas released two more hostages on Saturday as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal between the militant group and Israel, marking the fourth exchange of hostages since the beginning of negotiations. The hostages, Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Khan Yunis, located in southern Gaza. This exchange comes ahead of the expected release of 183 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, a move set to take place later in the day.
Since January 19, Hamas militants have begun releasing hostages after holding them captive for over 15 months, following the deadly October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the ongoing Gaza conflict. To date, 18 hostages have been returned as part of this fragile ceasefire, with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners set for release in return. Among the hostages freed in previous exchanges were individuals like Keith Siegel, an American-Israeli, who is also set to be released in a similar ceremony at Gaza City’s port.
The hostages released over the weekend were part of a group of 251 people abducted during the October 7 attacks. The Israeli military has confirmed that Kalderon and Bibas have now been returned to Israeli territory, marking a moment of relief for their families. However, the Bibas family remains in emotional turmoil, as Yarden’s wife Shiri and their two young children, Kfir and Ariel, are still missing. Hamas has claimed that the children and their mother were killed in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023, though Israeli officials have yet to verify this. The fate of the Bibas children has become a symbol of the ongoing hostage crisis.
On social media, the Bibas family expressed mixed emotions, noting that while they are excited for Yarden’s return, the absence of Shiri and the children casts a shadow over their joy. Israel’s foreign ministry echoed their anguish, demanding to know the whereabouts of the Bibas children, asking, “Hamas, where are the Bibas babies? 483 days have passed. Where are they?”
As the hostage exchanges continue, the situation in Gaza remains tense. Hamas fighters were seen standing guard over the proceedings, with heavily armed militants controlling the crowds. Unlike the chaotic scenes of previous exchanges, large crowds were kept away this time. Palestinian flags and portraits of slain Hamas leaders, including military chief Mohammed Deif, were visible as part of the ceremony, drawing attention to the group’s ongoing resistance against Israeli forces.
The negotiations for the exchange of prisoners have not been without complications. Earlier in the week, Israel briefly delayed its release of prisoners in protest over the disorganized nature of the exchanges, and the ICRC urged both sides to improve security at handover points. While tensions persist, the release of Palestinian prisoners, including former militant leaders like Zakaria Zubeidi, has sparked emotional reunions in Palestinian territories. In Ramallah, Zubeidi, who was freed on Thursday, was hailed as a hero by supporters, while others like Hussein Nasser were reunited with their families after years of imprisonment.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which is set to last 42 days, is based on the exchange of 33 hostages for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. As the first phase of this delicate process nears completion, Israel and Hamas are expected to begin negotiations for a second phase, which will focus on securing the release of the remaining hostages and establishing a more lasting ceasefire agreement.
With the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on the horizon, the potential for humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza has raised hopes for the region’s recovery. The European Union has deployed a monitoring mission to facilitate the transfer of individuals out of Gaza, including those in need of medical care, underscoring the international community’s interest in easing the humanitarian crisis.
As the situation continues to evolve, the emotional toll of the hostage crisis is felt on both sides, with families longing for the return of loved ones while grappling with the uncertainties of war.
