The Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), today Saturday handed over three hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross in the city of Gaza. Hours earlier, two hostages, specifically the Israeli-French Ofer Calderon, 54 years old, and Yarden Bibas, a 35-year-old Israeli civilian, were transferred to the Red Cross and from there to the Israeli forces who took them to Israeli territory. The third was Keith Siegel, 65 years old, and of dual Israeli-American nationality.
Today's release is part of the fourth batch of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas, and was coordinated with international mediators to ensure a safe transfer. This exchange is also part of efforts to implement a negotiated pact aimed at facilitating the release of detainees on both sides while maintaining a temporary cessation of hostilities.
In the coming days, more news is expected regarding the implementation of the agreement, according to Palestinian sources.
