Shocking new developments in the ongoing hostage crisis! Hamas has announced the release of three captives, including the father of Gaza’s youngest hostage and a dual US citizen.
The Palestinian terror group confirmed the exchange will take place on Saturday. The hostages set for release: Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel, and Ofer Kalderon.
A father’s nightmare
Yarden Bibas, just 34 at the time of his capture, is the father of baby Kfir. The infant was only nine months old when Hamas kidnapped him. His older brother, Ariel, was just four. Their mother, Shiri, was also seized in the brutal October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Hamas claimed in late 2023 that Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel were killed in Israeli airstrikes. But there has been no independent confirmation. A horrifying video from the attack showed a terrified Shiri holding her children, wrapped in a blanket. Gunmen surrounded them.
Another disturbing clip surfaced later. It showed Yarden bleeding, his head injured by hammer blows. Now, after months of fear and uncertainty, he is finally set to be freed. But his wife and children remain missing.
American captive among those to walk free
Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American, was also taken hostage that fateful day. Hamas later released a video showing him in captivity. His wife, Aviva, was kidnapped too. But she was freed in November 2023 during the first hostage exchange.
Ofer Kalderon, the third hostage to be released, was also taken on October 7. His two children, Erez and Sahar, were kidnapped alongside him. They were released in the first exchange. Now, Ofer will finally be reunited with them.
The ceasefire deal
This exchange is part of a temporary ceasefire agreement. Under the deal, Hamas is releasing 33 hostages in the first six weeks. In return, Israel is freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Many of them are serving life sentences for deadly attacks.
Tensions remain high. On Thursday, Hamas released three Israeli and five Thai hostages. But Israel delayed releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners. The reason? Chaotic crowds swarming the handover points.
What’s next?
The hostage crisis is far from over. The fate of baby Kfir, Ariel, and their mother remains unknown. Hamas’ brutal attack has left deep scars. And many families are still waiting for their loved ones to come home.
