Gaza ceasefire: Hamas hands over three hostages to Red Cross

Hamas releases American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel in Gaza as part of ceasefire deal with Israel.

Hamas has handed American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, 65, over to the Red Cross, the third hostage to be released Saturday (February 1, 2025) as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel.

Mr. Siegel walked onto a stage set up by the sea in Gaza City before militants handed him over to waiting Red Cross officials, while thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to watch on a large screen, waving signs and cheering.

Earlier, the militants released Yarden Bibas, 35, and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, 54, to the Red Cross in similar scenes in the town of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. All three were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that sparked the war.

The truce, which began January 19, is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the Hamas militant group.

The fragile deal has held for nearly two weeks, halting the fighting and allowing for increased aid to flow into the tiny coastal territory.

Also Read | Hamas frees 8 more hostages; Israel releases Palestinian prisoners after delay

During the truce’s six-week first phase, a total of 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel says it has received information from Hamas that eight of those hostages were either killed in Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack or have died in captivity.