JERUSALEM — The anticipated release of three high-profile hostages on Saturday, including the father of the youngest captives in Gaza, sparked a mix of excitement and anxiety across Israel on Friday.
Yarden Bibas, whose children Ariel and Kfir Bibas have captured the public’s attention, along with Keith Siegel and Ofer Kalderon, have become well-known figures since their abductions, leading to significant public campaigns advocating for their freedom.
The upcoming release marks the fourth instance of detained individuals being freed since a ceasefire temporarily halted the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas earlier this month. The first phase of the deal is set to see the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel’s announcement of the hostages’ names raised concerns regarding the fate of the Bibas family, as Hamas has alleged that the boys and their mother, Shiri, are deceased. Israeli officials have expressed grave worries about their condition, with reports suggesting that a significant number of the remaining captives, estimated at about 80, may no longer be alive.
On Friday, activists donned white attire and carrying umbrellas staged a silent protest outside the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv to push for additional releases. The peaceful demonstration featured yellow chairs symbolizing the hostages. The families of the captives described the update as “joyous,” emphasizing the moral obligation of Israel to work towards the retrieval of all hostages, whether they are alive or not.
For the families, the news provided a much-needed sense of relief.
“Thank God,” Sahar Kalderon, one of Ofer Kalderon’s children, shared on Instagram. “What a perfect morning.”
Aviva Siegel, wife of Keith Siegel, expressed her joy in a video shared by her daughter, exclaiming, “Dad is coming! Dad is on the list!”
Approximately 250 individuals were abducted when Hamas launched an incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to the tragic deaths of around 1,200 people, predominantly civilians. The subsequent conflict has resulted in one of the deadliest and most devastating military campaigns in decades. Reports indicate that over 47,000 Palestinians have perished in the conflict, with the Gaza Health Ministry stating that more than half of them were women and children, although it hasn’t clarified how many of the deceased were militants.
Let’s delve deeper into the profiles of the men scheduled for release on Saturday.
Yarden Bibas, 35
The news of Yarden Bibas’s release has resulted in diminished hopes regarding the wellbeing of his wife and children in Gaza.
Hamas claims that he and the others were killed in an Israeli airstrike, a statement not confirmed by Israeli authorities. Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari declared last week that there are deep concerns for the family’s safety.
Yarden Bibas was taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, with visuals from his abduction indicating he had sustained injuries. It is believed he was seized independently from his wife and sons. Footage of their kidnapping shows Shiri enveloping her two young boys in a blanket, only to be escorted away by armed forces.
Kfir, at just 9 months old during the abduction, has become a poignant symbol of the crisis, representing the vulnerability and distress surrounding the hostage situation.
Keith Siegel, 65
Keith Siegel, who holds dual Israeli-American citizenship, was captured alongside his wife, Aviva Siegel, from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which suffered extensive damage from the attack. Aviva was freed under the November 2023 ceasefire agreement and has actively campaigned for her husband’s return worldwide.
A former occupational therapist from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Keith Siegel cherished spending time with his grandchildren, as noted by the community organization advocating for hostage families.
Aviva Siegel shared that she and her husband were held together during her 51 days as a captive. She found solace in his presence as they were moved between tunnels, where food and water were scarce. Her last words to him before their separation were a plea for him to remain strong.
Ofer Kalderon, 54
Ofer Kalderon, a French-Israeli national, was also abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his children, Sahar and Erez. His ex-wife, Hadas, was captured as well.
During a previous hostage exchange in November, Hadas and the children were released. She later disclosed that the kids have faced difficulties in adjusting after their time in captivity, often expressing concern for their father’s wellbeing.
Ofer is known for his skills as a carpenter and enjoys biking and flying model airplanes, according to family advocates.
