Hamas, the terror group, has let go of two more hostages as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. The release of the third hostage, American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel, is expected later on Saturday.
Hamas handed over Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas to the Red Cross, and both were expected to be given over to IDF soldiers.
Keith Siegel, aged 65, originally from North Carolina, moved to Israel when he was young, eventually becoming a citizen of both the U.S. and Israel. He lived with his wife, Aviva, in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Keith had been held captive in Gaza since October 7, 2023, following the tragic kidnapping incident by Hamas.
Aviva Siegel, who was part of a previous hostage release in November, expressed concerns about Keith’s declining health and stressed the importance of bringing back all hostages safely. Besides Keith, Ofer Kalderon from France and Yarden Bibas from Israel were also released. Unfortunately, Bibas’ wife and two young children are still being held captive.
Scenes of chaos in Khan Younis, as hostages Gadi Moses and Arbel Yehud were forced to walk on foot through a Palestinian mob to waiting Red Cross vehicles on Jan. 30, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/TPS-IL)
The ceasefire, which has temporarily halted a brutal 15-month war, is unfolding in phases. Each stage involves the staggered release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, the process has faced setbacks, including horrific scenes this week when Hamas paraded hostages before an angry mob, endangering their safety. The chaotic handover to the Red Cross sparked outrage in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefly halted the reciprocal release of Palestinian prisoners, warning Hamas against further disruptions.
The current plan includes additional hostage releases in the coming weeks, with 33 captives expected to be freed over six weeks. In return, Israel will release 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners, including 250-300 convicted of deadly attacks, and allow increased humanitarian aid into Gaza. Whether Hamas will fully comply remains uncertain, putting the fragile truce at risk.
PM Netanyahu Meets with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. (Photo by Prime Minister’s Media Adviser)
Amid high-stakes ceasefire negotiations, Netanyahu has accepted an invitation from President Trump to visit Washington on February 4, making him the first foreign leader to meet Trump in his second term. The visit will focus on the hostage deal, ceasefire discussions, and broader security concerns, including Iran and Gaza’s reconstruction.
