Hamas announces release of 3 Israeli hostages in Gaza cease-fire deal
Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades gather outside the ruins of the house of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as Israeli hostages being handed over to Red Cross in Khan Yunis, Gaza on January 30, 2025. (AA Photo)
Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, announced the names of three Israeli hostages set to be released on Saturday as part of the ongoing cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement with Israel.
In a statement issued on Friday, Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Ubeida said: “As part of the Al-Aqsa Flood prisoner exchange deal, Al-Qassam Brigades have decided to release the following Israeli captives on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025: Ofer Calderon (54), Keith Samuel Siegel (65), and Yarden Bibas (35).”
Siegel holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, making him one of two American nationals expected to be released in the first phase of the cease-fire agreement.
Fourth hostage exchange under cease-fire agreement
The release is part of the initial 42-day phase of the cease-fire deal, during which 33 Israeli hostages and more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners are set to be exchanged.
Israel is set to release 90 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office said on Friday.
Of the prisoners, nine are serving life sentences, while 81 others are serving long-term sentences.
So far, in the first three rounds of exchanges, a total of 10 Israeli hostages have been freed from Gaza, while 400 Palestinian prisoners have been released from Israeli custody.
Hamas freed three Israeli and five Thai hostages on Thursday, while Israel released 110 Palestinian prisoners in return. Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) facilitated the release of five Thai hostages held in Gaza, following intelligence diplomacy efforts conducted with Hamas under the directive of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Israel confirms list of hostages for release
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed on Friday that it has received the list of hostages expected to be freed on Saturday, stating: “Israel has received the list of hostages expected to be released from Hamas captivity tomorrow. A detailed response will be provided after reviewing the list and updating the families.”
Cease-fire agreement and prisoner exchange terms
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect on Jan. 19, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. local time, following negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar, with U.S. involvement.
The agreement is structured in three phases, with the first phase focusing on the release of hostages and prisoners. Future phases are expected to extend the ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza.
Humanitarian toll of conflict
The Israel-Hamas war, which gained a new level after Oct. 7, 2023, has caused widespread devastation in Gaza. According to Gaza’s health authorities, more than 47,400 Palestinians, the majority of women and children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and ground attacks.
Israel has reported that 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, with 250 individuals taken hostage.
