Three Israeli hostages, including dual US and French citizens, set for release in Gaza on Saturday

Hamas announced on Friday that it will release three Israeli hostages on Saturday, including the father of baby Kfir Bibas, who was the youngest captive taken in the militant group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The hostages to be freed are Yarden Bibas, dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel, and dual French-Israeli citizen Ofer Kalderon, according to Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing.

The fate of Kfir Bibas, who was nine months old when he was abducted alongside his four-year-old brother Ariel and mother Shiri, remains unclear. Hamas claimed last year that they were killed by Israeli airstrikes, though this has not been independently verified.

Hostage Arbel Yehoud, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, enters a vehicle as Palestinian militants hand her over to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, January 30, 2025. Reuters

Video footage of their capture, which circulated soon after the attack, showed a terrified Shiri holding her two young sons as they were taken into Gaza by Hamas fighters. A separate clip showed Yarden Bibas, then 34, bleeding from a head injury.

Escalating tensions amid hostage swap

Hamas’ announcement comes amid a fragile ceasefire deal that halted over 15 months of fighting. Under the agreement, 33 hostages are set to be freed in the first six weeks of the truce in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences in Israeli jails.

On Thursday, Hamas released three Israeli and five Thai hostages, while Israel freed 110 Palestinian prisoners. The exchange was delayed due to chaotic crowds surrounding a hostage handover point, angering Israeli officials.

Released Israeli hostage, Naama Levy, a soldier who was seized from her army base in southern Israel, is reunited with loved ones after being released from captivity\u00a0in Petah Tikva, Israel\u00a0on January 25, 2025 Reuters

According to Hamas, eight of the 33 hostages expected to be released are now dead.

In exchange for the three Israelis to be freed on Saturday, Israel will release 90 Palestinian prisoners, including nine serving life terms and 81 with long-term sentences, Hamas’ prisoner information office stated.

Netanyahu under pressure over hostage deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism in Israel for not securing a hostage deal earlier in the war. Some critics argue the current agreement leaves many captives in limbo while allowing Hamas to maintain its grip on Gaza despite months of Israeli military operations.

FILE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a press conference in Tel Aviv on July 13, 2024. AFP

Israel has also expressed concerns over the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) continuing its operations in Gaza.

The agency’s communications chief, Juliette Touma, warned that if Israel prevents its work, the fragile ceasefire could be jeopardized.

Gaza war casualties and future negotiations

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023 Hamas attack has killed over 47,000 people, creating a massive humanitarian crisis.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, and has devastated the densely populated enclave, leaving its 2.3 million residents struggling with shortages of medicine, fuel, and food.

Displaced Palestinians make their way as they flee the northern part of Gaza, amid an Israeli military operation, in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Reuters

Hamas’ cross-border raid into Israeli territory claimed 1,200 lives. It also took more than 250 people captive.

Half of the original hostages taken by Hamas were released during a previous truce in November 2023, while others have been found dead or rescued by Israeli forces.

Further negotiations on a second phase of the deal, set to begin by February 4, could lead to the release of over 60 additional hostages, including military-aged men.

If successful, it may also pave the way for an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and discussions on rebuilding the war-torn territory.

For now, families of the remaining hostages wait anxiously for news of their loved ones.