French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon at Khan Younis, in Gaza, before being handed over to the Red Cross —AP

Agencies KHAN YOUNIS

Hamas released three male hostages on Saturday in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners by Israel as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement that has paused the over 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip.  They  were abducted during the October 7, 2023  attack that triggered the war.

Buses carrying released Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli prisons arrived on Saturday in West Bank’s Ramallah, live television footage showed, according to Reuters.

Militants handed Yarden Bibas and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon to Red Cross officials in the southern city of Khan Younis, while American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel was released to the Red Cross later Saturday morning in Gaza City to the north. Israel confirmed that all three had crossed the border and would head to hospitals from an initial reception point at a military base.

Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square to watch the live broadcast of the releases. The truce, in effect for two weeks, aims to de-escalate the conflict and facilitate aid delivery to Gaza. During the initial six-week phase, 33 hostages are expected to be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel reports that eight hostages are believed to have died either during the initial attack or in captivity.

Alongside the hostage release, wounded Palestinians are expected to be evacuated from Gaza to Egypt through the Rafah crossing, which had been closed since May. A European Union mission has been preparing for its reopening, a key step in the ceasefire agreement that also calls for the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and increased humanitarian aid. Fifty sick and wounded children, accompanied by 61 adults, are scheduled for evacuation.

Keith Siegel, originally from North Carolina, was taken hostage with his wife, Aviva, who was released previously. The release of Yarden Bibas has highlighted the uncertain fate of his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons, who were also abducted. Hamas claims they were killed in an Israeli airstrike, which Israel hasn't confirmed, though they have expressed concern. Ofer Kalderon was captured with his two children, who were released in November.

His family expressed immense relief at his return. French President Macron acknowledged Kalderon’s release and reiterated France’s commitment to securing the release of another French-Israeli hostage. The Palestinian prisoners being released by Israel include those serving lengthy and life sentences.