Posted on 02/01/25
| News Source: Times of Israel
February 1, 2025 - Gaza/Israel – Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Thursday as part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel. The hostages, Keith Siegel (65), Ofer Kalderon (54), and Yarden Bibas (35), were among those abducted during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Their release, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, is part of a broader deal involving the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, as well as increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Since their return, the freed hostages have shared harrowing accounts of mistreatment. Siegel, who was held in Gaza City, was frequently moved between locations and often confined in tunnels. He suffered severe food deprivation and was forced to eat foods that conflicted with his dietary restrictions to survive.
Kalderon and Bibas, initially held together, endured physical and psychological torture, frequent relocations, and extreme confinement. Reports indicate that Bibas, in particular, was subjected to psychological torment—forced to film a staged video where his captors falsely claimed his wife and children had been killed in an Israeli airstrike. He later learned that they were still missing.
The hostages described being locked in cages for long periods, exposed to harsh conditions, and subjected to taunts from their captors. Many experienced long stretches of isolation, while others were moved between civilian homes to prevent their detection.
In exchange for the hostages, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were held on security-related offenses. The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was also reopened, allowing for an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries and the transfer of wounded Palestinian civilians for medical treatment.
While the hostage release marks a temporary de-escalation in hostilities, uncertainty remains over the long-term viability of the ceasefire. Israeli officials have reiterated their commitment to securing the release of all remaining captives, while Hamas has warned that continued military action in Gaza could jeopardize future negotiations.
As families welcome home the freed hostages, focus now turns to the dozens of Israeli hostages still believed to be in Gaza, and whether further diplomatic efforts will succeed in bringing them home.