The Israeli organization advocating for families of hostages held in the Gaza Strip expressed relief on Friday as news broke about the imminent release of three male hostages scheduled for Saturday.
This marks the fourth wave of hostages being released under a ceasefire agreement negotiated between Israel and Hamas, aimed at concluding the intense conflict that erupted following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. This agreement also focuses on the release of numerous hostages taken by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel.
The announcement that Yarden Bibas, 35, will be released drew attention back to the Bibas family, whose situation has been marked by uncertainty. While Hamas has claimed that his wife and two young sons perished in an Israeli airstrike, Israel has yet to validate this assertion.
According to reports, Yarden will be released alongside fellow hostages Keith Siegel, 65, an American-Israeli, and Ofer Kalderon, 54, a French-Israeli national.
Additionally, Palestinian health authorities in Gaza indicated that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt would reopen on Saturday, allowing access for thousands of Palestinians needing medical care. This development underscores the ongoing effectiveness of the ceasefire agreement in facilitating humanitarian aid.
In another significant update, Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari— a British-Israeli hostage freed during the initial exchange— shared shocking revelations that Hamas had held her daughter in facilities belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and denied her necessary medical treatment after she was shot.
UNRWA, which was established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees feeling the aftermath of territorial conflicts, plays a vital role in Gaza, especially during the ongoing war. Emily sustained severe injuries, resulting in the loss of two fingers from a gunshot wound during the October attack on her community.
Mandy’s claims have intensified criticism from Israeli officials towards UNRWA, alleging that the agency has been compromised by Hamas. UNRWA has denied these allegations, while Israeli officials have reported that several of its employees were involved in the October attack. In light of these allegations, UNRWA’s senior communications representative stated that they are taking the claims seriously and calling for independent investigations into the misuse of U.N. facilities.
As Yarden Bibas prepares for his release, relatives expressed mixed emotions regarding his return while grappling with the fate of his wife and children. His family plans to welcome him back, but amidst the sorrow of their absence, relatives shared the complexities of their feelings. They sent a heartfelt message, urging the community to safeguard Yarden’s spirit during this challenging time.
Kfir, Yarden’s youngest child, had gained widespread attention as the youngest hostage taken from the family, symbolizing their plight with the color orange.
The Rafah crossing has also been confirmed to be operational for transferring medical patients, with reports indicating that Palestinian medical personnel will manage the crossing alongside EU monitors, marking a collaborative effort to address humanitarian issues.
A European diplomat confirmed that the border became ready for its first operation to help wounded Palestinians following months of closure. Senior officials involved have reportedly resolved previous disputes over how the crossing should be managed, signaling hope for medical assistance in Gaza.
As the situation continues to evolve, all eyes remain on forthcoming developments involving the hostages and the effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict.
