Israel has begun releasing a group of Palestinian prisoners just hours after Hamas freed three hostages as part of an ongoing ceasefire deal that has paused 15 months of deadly fighting in Gaza.
A bus carrying 32 prisoners left Ofer Military Prison for the West Bank, while around 150 other detainees were either sent to Gaza or deported. According to Palestinian authorities, a total of 183 prisoners are set to be released, including many serving lengthy or life sentences. The list also includes 111 individuals from Gaza who were arrested following the October 7, 2023, attack and were held without trial.
Hostages Released Amid Renewed Ceasefire Efforts
Earlier in the day, Hamas militants handed over Israeli hostages Yarden Bibas and French-Israeli national Ofer Kalderon to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. A third hostage, American-Israeli Keith Siegel, was later released in Gaza City.
The three men were among those abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing war. Their release brings the total number of hostages freed since the truce began on January 19 to 18.
Unlike the chaotic scenes of previous hostage releases, Saturday’s events were more structured. Masked and armed militants formed lines as the hostages walked onto a stage, waved, and were then escorted to Red Cross officials.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, thousands gathered to watch the live broadcast of the release, waving signs and cheering in relief.
Ceasefire Deal and Prisoner Exchange
The ceasefire agreement, aimed at reducing hostilities, has held for two weeks, allowing humanitarian aid to reach Gaza’s battered population. Under the six-week first phase of the truce, Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
However, Israeli officials have disclosed that Hamas has provided information indicating that eight hostages were either killed during the October 7 attack or died in captivity.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, wounded Palestinians were expected to be allowed to leave Gaza for medical treatment in Egypt via the Rafah border crossing. The crossing had remained closed since May when Israel took control. A European Union civilian mission has been deployed to assist in reopening it, marking another step in implementing the ceasefire agreement.
The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that 50 sick and wounded children, along with their guardians, would be evacuated through Rafah.
Emotional Reunions and Continued Uncertainty
Siegel, 65, originally from North Carolina, was taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza alongside his wife, Aviva, who was released in a previous hostage exchange. His return was met with relief and joy by family and friends who had gathered to watch the broadcast.
The release of Bibas, 35, reignited concerns over the fate of his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, who was just nine months old at the time of their capture. Hamas has claimed that the three were killed in an Israeli airstrike, though Israeli authorities have not confirmed their deaths.
In Kfar Saba, north of Tel Aviv, Kalderon’s family erupted in celebration upon seeing images of him boarding the Red Cross vehicle. His children, who had been freed in an earlier exchange, expressed relief at being reunited with their father.
Uncertain Path Forward
Of the approximately 250 hostages initially taken by Hamas, over 100 were released during a brief truce in November 2023. However, about 80 remain in Gaza, with at least a third believed to have died.
Israel and Hamas are set to enter negotiations next week over a potential second phase of the ceasefire, which could extend the truce and lead to the release of the remaining hostages. However, tensions remain high, with Israeli leaders vowing to dismantle Hamas, while the militant group insists it will not free any more captives without a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Since the war began, more than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 Hamas fighters but has not provided verification. The October 7 attack, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians.
As the ceasefire holds, the fate of hostages, prisoners, and civilians on both sides remains in the balance, with the risk of renewed fighting if negotiations fail.