Israel and Hamas conduct fourth prisoner exchange

For the fourth time since the ceasefire began, Israel and Hamas have exchanged prisoners and hostages. This morning in Gaza, Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, which transported them to Israel.

In return, Israel is releasing 183 Palestinian prisoners today; the first of whom have been welcomed with great attention in Ramallah on the West Bank. The released Israeli hostages are Ofer Calderon (54), Yarden Bibas (35), and Keith Siegel (65).

The transfer of Calderon and Bibas took place at the coast near Khan Younis with a significant display of force by Hamas, including a gathering of at least a hundred heavily armed and masked fighters. As with previous releases, hostages were given a ‘release certificate’ before being placed in Red Cross vehicles.

Calderon and Bibas hail from the kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border. Bibas’ wife and two children were also taken hostage at the start of the conflict.

According to Hamas, they were killed during captivity, but Israel has not confirmed their deaths. Calderon’s two children had also been hostages but were freed during the ceasefire in November 2023.

Calderon, who holds French nationality, received a statement from President Macron expressing relief and happiness after enduring a 483-day ordeal. Macron also called for the release of another French national, Ohad Yahalomi.

Siegel’s release took place hours later in Gaza City. Siegel and his wife Aviva reside in the kibbutz Kfar Aza, near the Gaza border; she was released in November 2023.

This is the fourth time Israel and Hamas have conducted a prisoner exchange since the ceasefire, which began last month. The ceasefire terms stipulate that Hamas will release 33 hostages within the first six weeks, and Israel will release nearly 2000 prisoners.

Negotiations on the second phase, focusing on the remaining approximately sixty hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, are set to begin next week.

Source: NOS

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