Hamas is set to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of a phased exchange agreement aimed at easing the conflict in Gaza.
Among those expected to be freed is Yarden Bibas, the father of baby Kfir and four-year-old Ariel, who were kidnapped during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack. Hamas previously claimed that the children and their mother, Shiri, were killed in an Israeli airstrike, though no confirmation has followed.
U.S.-Israeli dual national Keith Siegel and French-Israeli dual national Ofer Kalderon are also included in the exchange. In return, Hamas will receive 182 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The truce, brokered by Egypt and Qatar with U.S. support, has also enabled the reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing. On Saturday, 50 injured militants and 50 wounded civilians, along with their escorts, are expected to travel to Egypt. An additional 100 individuals, likely students, may also be allowed through on humanitarian grounds.
So far, 15 of the 33 hostages designated for release in the first stage of the deal have been freed in exchange for 400 Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations are set to begin by Tuesday on a second phase, which could see the release of more than 60 remaining hostages and the potential withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The six-week ceasefire has remained intact despite accusations from both sides of violations
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Hamas announced on Friday that it agreed to release an American-Israeli dual national, believed to be the last American hostage held in Gaza. The release follows a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations for the second phase of a ceasefire deal.
In Tel Aviv, residents honored the victims of the hostage crisis, expressing concern for the 59 hostages still held in Gaza, following the return of four hostages' bodies marking the end of the first phase of the ceasefire.
Hamas handed over the bodies of Israeli infant Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel, along with their mother Shiri Bibas and hostage Oded Lifschitz, on Thursday under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Red Cross vehicles carried the four black coffins, each bearing a photo of the hostages.
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