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Hamas Releases Three Israeli Hostages as Truce Continues in Gaza Conflict

Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners, marking the latest phase of the six-week ceasefire in Gaza. The Egypt and Qatar-mediated truce aims to halt the ongoing 15-month conflict.

The hostages—French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, Israeli-American Keith Siegel, and Yarden Bibas—were handed over to Red Cross officials at separate locations in Gaza before being transferred to Israel.

In Ramallah, large crowds welcomed the freed Palestinian detainees, many of whom had been held without formal charges.

At Rafah border crossing, the first group of Palestinian patients, including children with cancer and heart conditions, left for medical treatment in Egypt under World Health Organization supervision.

Hamas Displays Strength as Hostage Exchange Continues

Unlike Thursday’s chaotic transfer, Saturday’s exchange proceeded in a more orderly manner. However, Hamas fighters staged a military parade, signaling their continued dominance in Gaza despite heavy war losses.

So far, Hamas has released 18 hostages, including five Thai nationals freed in an unexpected move on Thursday. Meanwhile, Israel has released 583 Palestinian prisoners, including some militants serving life sentences and others detained during the war.

In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, crowds watched the exchange on giant screens, cheering and crying as their loved ones returned home.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed relief, stating:

“Ofer Kalderon is free! We share the immense relief and joy of his loved ones after 483 days of unimaginable hell.”

Biden-Netanyahu Meeting and Next Steps

With the truce holding, diplomatic talks are accelerating. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday. Their discussions will cover:

  • The ceasefire’s next phase
  • Further hostage releases
  • Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization talks

The first stage of the deal focused on releasing children, women, and the elderly. More than 60 men of military age remain in Hamas captivity, with new negotiations set to begin by Tuesday.

While both Israel and Hamas have expressed commitment to further talks, a final agreement remains uncertain. Hamas demands a full Israeli military withdrawal, while Israel insists that Hamas cannot retain power in Gaza.

The Aftermath: Gaza’s Destruction and Future Challenges

The war began with a Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages taken. Since then, Israeli airstrikes and military operations have claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives, leaving Gaza in ruins.

As displaced Gazans return home, they face the full scale of devastation. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff estimates that rebuilding Gaza could take 10 to 15 years.

Despite losing key leaders and thousands of fighters, Hamas remains a force in Gaza, complicating efforts for long-term peace.

With both sides preparing for new negotiations, the world waits to see if the ceasefire will bring lasting peace—or if violence will return to the region.

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