GAZA/CAIRO, Feb 1 – a significant development unfolded in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Three Israeli hostages were freed in the latest exchange, marking another step in the tentative process of securing peace and resolving the 15-month-long war. The hostages were released in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, continuing the fragile truce that has been in place since November 2023.
The hostages included Ofer Kalderon, a French-Israeli dual national, and Yarden Bibas, who were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) officials in Khan Younis, a southern city in Gaza. In a separate transfer, Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American, was released at the Gaza City seaport. These releases followed an earlier phase of the exchange, in which 183 Palestinian detainees were set to be freed, with the first group seen arriving in Ramallah in the West Bank. There, the freed prisoners were warmly received by large crowds.
In addition to the prisoners, the first Palestinian patients were also allowed to leave Gaza for medical treatment in Egypt. This included children suffering from severe illnesses such as cancer and heart conditions, who were transported by bus to Egypt under the care of the World Health Organization.
The handover process on February 1 occurred without the chaotic scenes witnessed earlier in the week. On Thursday, the exchange had been marred by struggles among Hamas guards, who tried to shield the hostages from a surging crowd. However, Saturday’s event was more orderly, although Hamas fighters in uniform still paraded through the area, reinforcing the group’s hold on Gaza despite the devastating impact of the war on their forces.
This latest exchange brings the total number of hostages released to 18. The number includes five Thai nationals who were unexpectedly freed on Thursday. In return for these releases, Israel agreed to release 583 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were militant fighters, some of whom had been sentenced to life for deadly attacks. These releases included individuals detained both before and during the ongoing conflict but not charged with specific crimes.
Back in Israel, the event was met with mixed emotions. Crowds gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv to watch the live broadcast of the handover. The moment was a bittersweet one, with tears of relief and joy from the families of the freed hostages as they were shown on the giant screens. Kalderon and Bibas, both of whom had been held hostage for over a year, mounted a small stage in Khan Younis. Kalderon, whose children Erez and Sahar had been released in an earlier exchange in November 2023, received a warm welcome from supporters and leaders in the region, including French President Emmanuel Macron. “Ofer Kalderon is free! Macron expressed his solidarity, stating, ‘We join in the immense relief and joy felt by his family after enduring 483 days of unimaginable hardship.’
Looking ahead, further diplomatic efforts are underway to continue the release of remaining hostages and to secure a broader settlement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump soon, with discussions centered on the future of the ceasefire and potential normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. While Israel has agreed to release more hostages, including 33 children, women, and elderly individuals, a second phase of the deal is still being negotiated. This phase will address the release of more hostages, many of whom are military-aged men, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
The truce, brokered with the help of Egyptian and Qatari mediators and supported by the U.S., has largely held despite several incidents in which both sides accused each other of violating the terms of the ceasefire. Netanyahu’s government, which contains members who have opposed the ceasefire, and Hamas both remain committed to further talks for the second phase. However, the long-term prospects for a peaceful resolution remain uncertain.
The war began with a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the taking of more than 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign that led to the deaths of more than 47,000 Palestinians. Much of Gaza has been left in ruins, and the process of rebuilding is expected to take 10 to 15 years, according to U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Amid the devastation, Gaza’s residents have slowly begun to return to their homes, although many areas remain uninhabitable. For Israel, the ongoing threat of Hamas is a significant concern, with Israeli leaders insisting that Hamas cannot remain in control of Gaza. Hamas, despite the loss of much of its leadership and thousands of fighters, continues to exert considerable control over the territory, and Saturday’s release was a reminder of its enduring influence.
Despite the ongoing violence and the extreme toll it has taken on both sides, the exchange of hostages signals a glimmer of hope for peace. However, the deep-seated mistrust and bitterness between the two sides pose significant challenges to any lasting settlement. The ultimate goal remains to bring an end to the war and to help both Israeli and Palestinian people heal from the prolonged suffering they have endured.