Next Israel-Hamas Exchange: 3 Israeli Hostages Freed in Exchange for 183 Palestinian Prisoners

RksNews
RksNews 1 Min Read
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GAZA, Feb 1 – Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The freed hostages—Yarden Bibas (34), Ofer Kalderon (53), and Keith Siegel (65)—were handed over to the Red Cross as part of the ceasefire deal reached last month.

Meanwhile, Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were detained at Ofer Prison, were transported by buses to Gaza and the West Bank.

Tensions Over Previous Exchanges

The latest swap was more orderly than the one on Thursday, which saw large crowds surrounding hostages, raising security concerns and delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners.

This time, armed Hamas fighters ensured crowd control while staging a highly choreographed event to emphasize their authority in Gaza.

“Masked fighters surrounded the freed men, with a banner behind them displaying images of slain Hamas leaders,” observers noted.

The Red Cross officials signed release certificates for Kalderon and Bibas, who were then made to hold them up before crowds in Khan Younis.

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