Hamas to Release Three Israeli Hostages in Latest Ceasefire Swap
Hamas and Israel are set to carry out their fourth hostage-prisoner exchange, with three Israeli hostages being freed in return for 90 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas and Israel are scheduled to execute their fourth hostage-prisoner swap as part of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire on Saturday.
In exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, the militant group will release three Israeli captives who have been held for nearly 15 months.
The hostages to be released are Yarden Bibas, Keith Seigel, who also holds U.S. citizenship, and Ofer Kalderon, who has French nationality.
Their identities were confirmed by the Israeli Prime Minister's office and the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.
This swap is part of the broader ceasefire agreement that began on January 19, following a 42-day phase.
So far, Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants have released 15 hostages through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners exchanged in return.
During Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, militants abducted a total of 251 people.
Of those, 79 remain in Gaza, with 34 confirmed dead, according to the Israeli military.
Among the hostages is Bibas' wife and children, who Hamas has declared dead, though Israeli officials have not yet confirmed this.
The most recent handover was marred by chaotic scenes, particularly in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, where a visibly distressed female hostage was caught in a crowd during her release.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the situation as 'shocking', and the ICRC called for improved security in future exchanges.
On Thursday, Israel released 110 Palestinian inmates from Ofer prison, including high-profile former militant commander Zakaria Zubeidi, whose return to the West Bank was marked by a hero’s welcome.
Also released was Hussein Nasser, whose reunion with his daughter Raghda after 22 years in prison was captured by AFP reporters.
As the ceasefire continues, negotiations for a second phase of the swap are expected to begin on Monday.
This phase would cover the release of the remaining hostages.
The fragile truce has allowed humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, where the ongoing war has caused severe displacement.
According to the United Nations, more than 462,000 Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza since access was restored on Monday, though many are returning to homes that have been completely destroyed.
In exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, the militant group will release three Israeli captives who have been held for nearly 15 months.
The hostages to be released are Yarden Bibas, Keith Seigel, who also holds U.S. citizenship, and Ofer Kalderon, who has French nationality.
Their identities were confirmed by the Israeli Prime Minister's office and the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.
This swap is part of the broader ceasefire agreement that began on January 19, following a 42-day phase.
So far, Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants have released 15 hostages through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners exchanged in return.
During Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, militants abducted a total of 251 people.
Of those, 79 remain in Gaza, with 34 confirmed dead, according to the Israeli military.
Among the hostages is Bibas' wife and children, who Hamas has declared dead, though Israeli officials have not yet confirmed this.
The most recent handover was marred by chaotic scenes, particularly in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, where a visibly distressed female hostage was caught in a crowd during her release.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the situation as 'shocking', and the ICRC called for improved security in future exchanges.
On Thursday, Israel released 110 Palestinian inmates from Ofer prison, including high-profile former militant commander Zakaria Zubeidi, whose return to the West Bank was marked by a hero’s welcome.
Also released was Hussein Nasser, whose reunion with his daughter Raghda after 22 years in prison was captured by AFP reporters.
As the ceasefire continues, negotiations for a second phase of the swap are expected to begin on Monday.
This phase would cover the release of the remaining hostages.
The fragile truce has allowed humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, where the ongoing war has caused severe displacement.
According to the United Nations, more than 462,000 Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza since access was restored on Monday, though many are returning to homes that have been completely destroyed.
