Hamas released three hostages in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, according to media reports.
The hostages, Yarden Bibas, French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, and American-Israeli Keith Siegel, were handed over to Red Cross officials in separate locations—Bibas and Kalderon in the southern city of Khan Younis and Siegel in Gaza City to the north. Siegel, 65.
In exchange, Israel began releasing a group of Palestinian prisoners, with 183 prisoners set to be freed in total. This includes some with lengthy or life sentences and 111 who were arrested after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas.
The first Palestinians are expected to travel from Gaza to Egypt through the newly reopened Rafah crossing. It will be opened initially for 50 injured militants and 50 wounded civilians, along with the people escorting them, with a further 100 people, most likely students, probably allowed through on humanitarian grounds.
The ongoing truce, which began on January 19, has allowed for the return of hostages and the movement of aid into Gaza. Under the deal, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.