Israel celebrates release of 3 hostages, but fate of Bibas children remains unclear

Israel releases 183 prisoners and approves restricted opening of Rafah crossing

Israeli hostages Keith Siegel, Ofer Calderon and Yarden Bibas had been launched after 484 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza on Saturday morning, per the phrases of the ceasefire between the phobia group and Israel.

Calderon, 54, and Bibas, 35, had been handed over to the Crimson Cross within the southern city of Khan Younis Saturday morning, whereas Siegel, 65, was launched a number of hours later within the port of Gaza Metropolis.

“Ofer, Gadi, Keith — it’s so good to see you residence! Along with all residents of Israel, and along with many all over the world, my spouse and I had been so moved to see you with us,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after their launch.

After Israel sharply protested the terrorists’ earlier hostage launch ceremonies, which bought uncontrolled and significantly endangered the Israeli hostages on Thursday, the terrorists apparently sharpened safety measures.

Saturday’s launch procedures went extra easily and with out disturbances by the comparatively small crowds of onlookers.

Netanyahu famous in his assertion that “after the scenes that all of us noticed the day earlier than yesterday, we demanded a protected exit for our hostages within the coming releases. As you noticed at the moment, this steadfast stand proved itself. The message was delivered, acquired and carried out. Israel expects that all the coming phases even be carried out safely.”

Nonetheless, Hamas once more arrange phases with messages and photos meant to impress Israel and to have fun its lifeless commanders.

On Friday, the phobia group for the primary time confirmed that a number of of its high leaders, together with Mohammed Deif, his deputy Marwan and a number of other others had been certainly killed by the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) throughout the battle.

After receiving “present luggage” and “launch paperwork,” Bibas and Calderon had been handed over to the Crimson Cross who took them to the IDF base within the Netzarim Hall.

The IDF then introduced Bibas and Calderon had been in its fingers, and after a brief drive, they returned to Israel over a yr after being taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023.

Yarden Bibas, who was launched with out Hamas releasing any new details about the situation of his spouse, Shiri, and their kids, Kfir and Ariel, was acquired by his mother and father and sister on the border. He was taken to a hospital shortly after.

Twin Israeli-French citizen Ofer Calderon was instantly taken by helicopter to satisfy his household in a hospital in central Israel, the IDF said.

He was reunited along with his kids, two of whom had been taken captive with him and had been launched within the first hostage deal in November 2023.

“We share the immense aid and pleasure of his family members after 483 days of unimaginable hell,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X.

“Our ideas are with Ohad Yahalomi, nonetheless within the fingers of Hamas, and along with his household. France is doing all the pieces it could actually to safe his launch directly,” Macron added.

A short time later, twin U.S.-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel was paraded on a stage in Gaza Metropolis, trying noticeably frail, and requiring some assist strolling up and down the steps of the stage.

He acquired two “present luggage,” certainly one of which was meant for his spouse, Aviva, who had been kidnapped with him and was launched throughout the first hostage deal, Israeli media reported.

He was then handed over to the Crimson Cross, which took him to the identical IDF submit. On the border, he was reunited along with his spouse, Aviva ,and his son, Shai, who he had believed to have been killed throughout the Hamas invasion.

After being transported to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, Siegel met his daughters, Elan, Gal and Shir, and his brother Lee. Siegel is the primary American hostage who was launched by Hamas since November 2023. Six People are nonetheless being held in Gaza, of whom two are believed to be alive.

“Within the final two weeks, now we have succeeded in releasing 13 of our hostages, and 5 Thai nationals who had been additionally held by Hamas,” Netanyahu stated.

“Right now our ideas are all with Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, and all of our hostages, the residing and the deceased, who’ve but to return residence. We’ll proceed to take decided motion to convey them again residence, and obtain all of our aims for the battle,” the prime minister added.

Following Saturday’s releases, 79 hostages stay in Hamas captivity, of whom 20 are set to be launched below the present section of the ceasefire.

Among the many relaxation, 24 are estimated to be alive, whereas 35 have been declared lifeless.

In line with Military Radio, the 20 set to be launched within the coming weeks embody seven adults older than 50, 10 whom are categorized as “sick or wounded,” and the three members of the Bibas household, about whose situation no official info is understood in the intervening time.

In addition they embody two hostages from earlier than the battle: Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed.

The 24 residing hostages, who should not deliberate to be launched within the present section, embody 4 IDF troopers; seven civilians kidnapped from villages within the Gaza envelope; 11 who had been kidnapped on the Nova celebration; and two international staff, one from Thailand and one from Nepal.

In trade for the hostage launch, Israel let loose 183 Palestinian prisoners, of whom 32 had been launched in Judea and Samaria.

“As we speak, we will assess that Hamas needed its terrorists again as quickly as doable, as a result of the overwhelming majority of them (150 out of 183) had been launched to the Gaza Strip, and subsequently it made positive to launch the hostages shortly with a view to precede the celebrations of the discharge of the Gazan terrorists,” commented Doron Kadosh, Military Radio’s army correspondent.

As well as, Israel permitted the restricted reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt at the moment, following the discharge of all residing civilian hostages that was accomplished earlier.

This text was initially revealed at All Israel Information