As part of a ceasefire deal with Israel, Hamas has declared that three hostages, including one American national, will soon be released. The hostages are identified as Ofer Kalderon, Yarden Bibas, 35, and Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old American-Israeli who had been in captive for 484 days since the October 7, 2023 attack. They will be made available on Saturday, February 1, 2025.
This move is a component of a larger hostage-exchange agreement in which Israel has promised to free a large number of Palestinian detainees in exchange. The exchange is part of a multi-stage ceasefire arrangement that intends to permit the release of at least 33 captives over the course of the next few weeks, according to Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida.
One of the bloodiest attacks in recent history, the October 7 Hamas strike claimed the lives of about 1,200 people and led to the kidnapping of another 250. Both sides have suffered heavy losses in the ongoing conflict; since then, Israeli military actions in Gaza have been responsible for nearly 45,000 recorded deaths.
Although they are relieved at the news, the hostages’ families are nonetheless worried about the other hostages that Hamas is still holding. International mediators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt are actively working to help the two parties reach additional agreements as the talks go on.
