Hamas gunmen released three more hostages and Israel freed over 180 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, facilitating a rapid exchange under a tense cease-fire agreement and avoiding the disorder seen in a previous transfer earlier in the week.
The hostages released included Yarden Bibas, 35, and Ofer Kalderon, 54, in a ceremonial event in Khan Younis, while Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old American Israeli, was released in Gaza City. After their release, the hostages were escorted by Red Cross workers to hospitals in Israel, where they reunited with their families following 15 months of captivity.
In return, Israel announced the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners, who were welcomed by crowds in Ramallah, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Red Cross also transported a group of freed prisoners to the European Hospital in Khan Younis, as confirmed by a doctor and a Hamas-linked Palestinian prisoner information center.
Live broadcasts in Israel showed the handover of the hostages at a site known as “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv, where family members expressed both relief and sorrow over the long period of captivity. Ifat Kalderon, a relative of one of the hostages, remarked, “This moment came 484 days too late. But it has finally happened.”
In Khan Younis, reactions among Gazans were mixed, with some expressing joy and others shedding tears upon the arrival of the freed prisoners at the European Hospital, as noted by Dr. Saleh al-Homs.
The released prisoners included individuals serving life sentences for involvement in deadly attacks, raising concerns among Israelis who view them as terrorists. Conversely, Palestinians often regard them as freedom fighters. Dr. al-Homs commented on the bittersweet emotions surrounding the release, stating, “They were happy to see the prisoners return, but saddened by the heavy price that was paid.”
According to Gazan health officials, over 45,000 Gazans have died due to Israel’s military actions, which intensified following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 abductions, as reported by Israeli officials.
This exchange marked the fourth in a multi-phase cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas established last month, which includes a pledge from Hamas to release at least 33 of the remaining 97 hostages over the next six weeks in exchange for over 1,500 Palestinian prisoners. However, more than 30 of the remaining hostages are believed to have died. Mediators aim for this agreement to lead to an end to the ongoing conflict, which has devastated parts of Gaza.
Simultaneously, a significant milestone in the cease-fire was achieved as sick and wounded individuals were allowed to exit Gaza for Egypt through the Rafah border crossing for the first time in nearly nine months. This reopening was a crucial aspect of the cease-fire agreement, which had been closed since Israel's invasion of Rafah in May.
However, officials from the Gaza Health Ministry indicated that only 50 out of thousands of ill and injured individuals needing treatment outside Gaza were able to cross on Saturday. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn from the World Health Organization stated that between 12,000 and 14,000 people require care for severe injuries and chronic conditions outside of Gaza.
The swift nature of Saturday's hostage release contrasted sharply with the chaotic scenes from a previous exchange, where militants struggled to manage crowds surrounding the hostages. Following that incident, Israel postponed the release of over 100 Palestinian prisoners until it received assurances to prevent similar disorder.
During the latest handovers, Hamas fighters organized theatrical ceremonies to demonstrate their control over Gaza, despite the loss of many commanders. Masked gunmen established a secure perimeter around the locations where the hostages were delivered to the Red Cross, and small crowds gathered to observe without attempting to breach the area.
In Gaza City, as Mr. Siegel was released, an emcee praised Hamas's armed wing over the loudspeaker. The hostages were paraded on stage for cameras, with banners declaring that “Nazi Zionism Will Not Win,” and portraits of fallen Hamas commanders were displayed.
Mr. Bibas was released without his wife and children, who were reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike, a claim that Israeli officials have not confirmed. After his release, a video surfaced showing Mr. Bibas being reunited with his family.
Mr. Kalderon was greeted by his children at a hospital near Tel Aviv, with emotional scenes captured on video. Mr. Siegel became the first dual American-Israeli hostage to be released since the cease-fire began two weeks ago, with Israeli authorities indicating that two other American-Israeli hostages are still believed to be alive in Gaza.
In Khan Younis, Dr. al-Homs noted that many of the released Palestinian prisoners appeared to have lost weight, with some requiring assistance to walk after enduring difficult conditions in Israeli jails. Among the released was Shadi Amouri, serving multiple life sentences for a 2002 suicide bombing that killed 17 individuals in Israel. Amouri, along with several others, will be expelled to another country and prohibited from returning to the West Bank under the cease-fire terms.
Another notable release was Mohammad El Halabi, a humanitarian worker whose conviction in Israel for allegedly diverting aid to Hamas has faced criticism from rights groups. His employer, World Vision, asserted that an independent investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing, a claim disputed by his family and legal representatives.
The exchange coincided with a unified front from Arab nations against a recent proposal by a public figure suggesting that Egypt and Jordan should accept Gazans, which was met with immediate rejection from both countries. A joint statement from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar warned that any plans encouraging the “transfer or uprooting of Palestinians from their land” would destabilize the region and undermine prospects for peace.
A representative from a prominent figure was involved in brokering the current cease-fire deal, though the long-term vision for Israel and the Palestinians remains uncertain.