Hamas releases three Israeli hostages as part of Gaza ceasefire swap

Hamas has released three Israeli hostages in Gaza on Saturday and handed them over to the Red Cross as part of the fragile ceasefire between the two parties.

The hostages were in captivity for 484 days.

Israeli Yarden Bibas and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon were released in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis in a swift and organised ceremony, news agency AFP reported.

🟡According to information communicated by the Red Cross, one additional hostage was transferred to them and is on the way to IDF and ISA forces in Gaza.

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 1, 2025

The IDF stated in a post on X that US-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel was delivered to the Red Cross in Gaza City, located in the northern area of the strip.

All three were abducted during the massive October 7 attack in the southern part of Gaza, when Hamas fighters crossed the border and killed more than 1,200 people.

The scene was different from an earlier hostage release on Thursday, when armed militants struggled to control a crowd around the hostages.

As part of the first phase of the truce deal, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

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Israel has said, citing intelligence information, that 33 of the hostages in captivity by Hamas were either killed during the October 7 attack or have died in captivity.

Wounded Palestinians can leave Gaza through Rafah crossing

Wounded Palestinians are expected to be allowed to leave Gaza for Egypt through the Rafah crossing from Saturday onwards.

The crossing was the only exit point for Palestinians during the war before Israel closed it in May.

The Health Ministry said 50 sick and wounded children are scheduled to be evacuated through the Rafah crossing along with 61 companions.

A fragile ceasefire

On January 19, 2025, a fragile ceasefire agreement came into effect between Israel and Hamas. It marked a significant de-escalation after over a year of intense conflict.

The truce has led to a substantial increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza, addressing the large-scale humanitarian crisis.

As part of the agreement, Israeli military forces have withdrawn to a half-mile-wide buffer zone inside Gaza, reducing direct military engagement in densely populated areas.

Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel

The war began after a surprise attack by Hamas fighters in southern Gaza. In the attack, the fighters killed almost 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages. This forced Israel to launch a campaign into Gaza.

As per the Palestinian health ministry, more than 48,000 people have died.