Two hostages, Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon, have arrived in southern Israel and are being reunited with their families. Bibas’ wife and two young children, who were also taken hostage, are believed to have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023. The Red Cross oversaw a choregraphed handover of the hostages in Khan Younis, Gaza, with Bibas and Kalderon being handed over to Israeli forces. The third hostage, Keith Siegel, is expected to be released soon. The exchange is part of a hostage-prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel, with Siegel being among those set to be released. He was taken from kibbutz Kfar Aza in October 2023 during an attack by Hamas that resulted in numerous casualties. The Israeli military confirmed the handover of Bibas and Kalderon and stated that they are on their way back to Israeli territory for a medical assessment. The families of the hostages have been notified and will be supported by the government and security agencies. The orderly handover contrasted with previous chaotic exchanges. Hamas handed over the hostages in Khan Younis, and Siegel is expected to join the others in being released soon, as part of the ongoing exchange process between the two sides.
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Fourth American Prisoner-Hostage Exchange
