Emotional reunions as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners back with families
Ofer Kalderon, Yarden Bibas and Keith Samuel Siegel were released this morning by Hamas. In return, Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners have reunited with their families in emotional scenes after being released on Saturday.
Israeli Yarden Bibas hugged his parents and sister for the first time after spending 15 months in captivity in Gaza.
The fate of his wife and two young children, who were also taken as hostages, is uncertain. Hamas previously claimed they died in an Israeli airstrike.
“Yarden is a father who left his safe room to protect his family, bravely survived captivity, and returned to an unbearable reality,” his family said in a statement.
Latest updates on freed hostages
Israel welcomed Saturday’s release of hostages by Hamas, which follows a number of others who were freed on Thursday.
In exchange, 183 Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli prisons.
Israeli hostages released
Israelis Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas were the first two released by Hamas into the custody of the Red Cross in Khan Younis this morning and later handed over to Israeli forces.
They were seen standing on a stage and waving.
American-Israeli Keith Samuel Siegel was released separately, a short time after the first two.
In exchange, 183 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom have been serving life sentences in Israel, were released, the Red Cross said.
Palestinian prisoners freed
There were scenes of celebration in Beitunia in the West Bank when the first of these detainees got off a bus after being released by Israel.
Among those prisoners freed on Saturday was Sidqi Hamed al Zaro, 63.
The Palestine News Agency reported Zaro, the father of 18 children, has been in Israeli prisons for 24 years.
The news outlet cited the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club as saying he suffered from several chronic illnesses in jail.
Another prisoner released was Imad Abu Ramouz, 50, from Hebron, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison, of which he served 21.
In the ongoing first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas is returning 33 hostages over six weeks. In return, Israel is freeing 737 Palestinian prisoners.
‘Indescribable excitement’
The family of Ofer Kalderon said they are “overwhelmed with joy” after an “unbearable” 484 days waiting for him to be freed.
“Today, we finally embrace Ofer, seeing and truly comprehending that he is here with us.
“We have witnessed how, through extraordinary mental strength, he survived this hell.
“Ofer endured months in a nightmare, and we are proud of his ability to survive and hold onto the hope of embracing his children again.”
The family of Keith Siegel said they were filled with “indescribable excitement” at his release.
“Finally, after 484 long, terrifying days and nights, full of immense worry for our father, we can breathe again.
“Thank you President Trump, for bringing our father back to us.”
There was an emotional moment when Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two young children have yet to be returned from captivity amid fears for their welfare, was reunited with his parents and sister.
Ex-hostage describes being parted from captive husband
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “The government, together with all security agencies, will accompany them and their families.
“The Israeli government is committed to the return of all the kidnapped and missing.”
Meanwhile, the first Palestinians have been allowed through the newly reopened Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Some 50 injured militants and 50 wounded civilians were expected to be permitted to cross into Egypt on Saturday.
Also on Saturday, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, the Palestinian Authority and the Arab League issued a joint statement rejecting the notion of transferring Palestinians outside their land under any circumstances.
It appears to be referring to recent comments from Donald Trump suggesting Gazans should be relocated to other countries.
