Hamas Frees 3 Hostages, Israeli Govt Releases Palestinian Prisoners

Hamas militants released three male hostages being held in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, and Israel began releasing 183 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, part of a ceasefire deal that has halted 15 months of intense fighting.

- Associated Press

KHAN YOUNIS:

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, looking pale and thin, was released to the Red Cross later on Saturday morning in Gaza City to the north.

All three were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that sparked the war. Their release brings to 18 the number of hostages released since the ceasefire began on January 19.

Both of Saturday's events were quick and orderly, in contrast to chaotic scenes that unfolded on Thursday when armed militants appeared to struggle to hold back a crowd during a hostage release. In both of Saturday's releases, masked and armed militants stood in lines as the hostages walked onto a stage and waved before being led off and handed over to the Red Cross.