Hamas has freed three more Israeli hostages in southern Gaza.
Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas were the first two released into the custody of the Red Cross in Khan Younis this morning and later handed over to Israeli forces.
American-Israeli Keith Samuel Siegel was released separately, a short time after the first two.
In exchange, 182 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom have been serving life sentences in Israel, will reportedly be freed.
In the ongoing first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas is returning 33 hostages over six weeks. In return, Israel is freeing 737 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas fighters deploy at the stage where the hand over of American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, 65, to the Red Cross will take place in Gaza City, Saturday Feb.1, 2025.(AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar)The family of Ofer Kalderon said they are "overwhelmed with joy" after an "unbearable" 484 days waiting for him to be freed.
"Today, we finally embrace Ofer, seeing and truly comprehending that he is here with us," they said.
"We have witnessed how, through extraordinary mental strength, he survived this hell.
"Ofer endured months in a nightmare, and we are proud of his ability to survive and hold onto the hope of embracing his children again."
Today is also expected to see the first Palestinians allowed through the newly reopened Rafah crossing.
The crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border will be opened for 50 injured militants and 50 wounded civilians initially.
Main image: Israeli Ofer Kalderon who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, waves before being handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas fighters in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 1, 2025. Photo/Abdel Kareem)
Reporting via IRN.
