The Palestinian group Hamas has released three Israeli captives in two separate handovers in exchange for the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, in the latest stage of a gradual exchange under a ceasefire deal reached after 15 months of Israeli attacks on Gaza.
French-Israeli dual national Ofer Kalderon and Israeli citizen Yarden Bibas were handed over to the Red Cross in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis on Saturday.
Over an hour later, American-Israeli dual national Keith Siegel was handed over to Red Cross officials in Gaza City in the northern part of the enclave.
As soon as the three Israeli captives reached Israel, the process to free 183 Palestinian prisoners began in fourth such exchange under the ceasefire deal entered on January 19. At least 73 of these Palestinians had been serving long-time prison terms and lifetime sentences.
The first bus carrying a group of 32 Palestinians from Israel’s Ofer prison reached Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, where they were greeted by jubilant relatives.
Among those released was an unnamed elderly Palestinian, who was transported in a wheelchair.
Of the 183 Palestinians released on Saturday, 111 were taken by Israeli forces in Gaza after October 7, 2023.
They were released in Gaza on Saturday. They include seven who were deported by Israel through Egypt.
A large crowd erupted in jubilation as the buses carrying the prisoners arrived at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.
There are an estimated 4,500 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons – 310 of them held under the so-called “administrative detention” without the right to a trial.
