Israeli hostages, Arab prisoners freed in Gaza prisoner exchange

Israeli hostages, Arab prisoners released in fresh Gaza prisoner exchange — Hamas Islamist militants American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, Gaza, February 1, 2025. Photo: Reuters

GAZA,— The Islamist militant group Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of a prisoner exchange deal, with Israel freeing 183 Arab prisoners, mostly criminals, and detainees in return. This marks the latest phase of a fragile ceasefire aimed at ending the 15-month conflict in Gaza.

Ofer Kalderon, a dual French-Israeli national, and Yarden Bibas were handed over to Red Cross officials in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, before being transferred to Israel. In a separate handover, Israeli-American Keith Siegel was released at the Gaza City seaport.

Hours later, buses carrying freed Arab detainees arrived in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Of the 183 released, 150 crossed into Gaza, while 32 disembarked in Ramallah to jubilant crowds. One prisoner was exiled to Egypt, according to the Hamas prisoners’ media office.

“I feel joy despite the pain and hardship we endured,” said Ali Al-Barghouti, a former prisoner who had been serving two life sentences. “The life sentence has been shattered, and one day the occupation will fall,” he declared, as the crowd in Ramallah erupted with chants of “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great).

At the Rafah border crossing, reopened for humanitarian cases, children suffering from cancer and heart conditions were among the first allowed to leave Gaza for medical treatment in Egypt. However, Gaza health official Mohammad Zaqout criticized the limited number of medical evacuees, noting that around 18,000 patients still require urgent care.

In Israel, crowds gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square to watch live broadcasts of the hostages’ return. Emotions ran high with cheers, applause, and tears as the men appeared on large screens.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed relief over Kalderon’s release, saying, “Ofer Kalderon is finally free. We stand with his family, sharing their overwhelming joy after 483 days of unimaginable hardship.”

Saturday’s exchange proceeded more smoothly compared to a chaotic transfer earlier in the week when Hamas guards struggled to control crowds.

Nonetheless, armed Hamas Islamist fighters paraded through the handover areas, signaling their continued influence in Gaza despite heavy wartime losses.

So far, 18 hostages have been freed, including five Thai nationals unexpectedly released last Thursday.

In total, Israel has released 583 Arab prisoners, ranging from militants convicted of deadly attacks to individuals detained during the current war without formal charges.

Diplomatic efforts are intensifying alongside the ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on the Gaza ceasefire and potential normalization of ties with Saudi Arabia.

Negotiations are set to resume Tuesday to address the release of remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza as part of the truce’s second phase.

The initial six-week ceasefire, brokered by Egypt and Qatar with U.S. support, has largely held despite sporadic violations blamed on both sides.

While both Netanyahu’s government and Hamas claim commitment to the agreement’s next phase, prospects for lasting peace remain uncertain.

The conflict began with a Hamas attack, similar in style to those carried out by the Islamic State, that killed 1,200 people—mostly civilians and children—and resulted in over 250 hostages. Additionally, many Israeli women were subjected to sexual assault by Hamas fighters during the attack, according to investigators and human rights organizations.

Israel’s military response has left Gaza devastated, with over 15,000 Hamas fighters killed, according to Israeli estimates.

Israeli leaders maintain that Hamas must not retain control of Gaza. However, Hamas continues to assert its authority, despite significant losses in leadership and manpower.

(With files from Reuters)