Hamas and Israel to Carry Out Fourth Hostage-Prisoner Swap Under Gaza Ceasefire

TDT | Manama

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Hamas and Israel are set to conduct their fourth hostage-prisoner swap under the ongoing Gaza ceasefire this Saturday. In this agreement, the militant group Hamas will release three Israeli hostages in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The release comes after the first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, and has seen hostages freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The hostages being freed on Saturday include Yarden Bibas, Keith Seigel (who holds both Israeli and US citizenship), and Ofer Kalderon (who also holds French nationality). Their names were confirmed by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office and the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.

These three individuals were captured during the October 7, 2023 attack, which marked the beginning of the Gaza war. Bibas and Kalderon were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz, while Seigel was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. The kidnapping of 251 people during this attack shocked the world, with 79 hostages still believed to be held in Gaza, some of whom are feared to be dead.

The tragic fate of some hostages has come to light, with the Israeli authorities yet to confirm the deaths of Bibas' wife and children, whom Hamas claims were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The two young children, Kfir and Ariel, have become symbols of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The prisoner swap will see Israel free 90 Palestinian prisoners, nine of whom are serving life sentences. Among those released from Israeli prisons in previous exchanges, high-profile militants like Zakaria Zubeidi and Hussein Nasser received warm receptions in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where emotional reunions took place.

Despite the emotional nature of these exchanges, the process has not been without challenges. The most recent handover in Khan Yunis saw chaotic scenes, drawing criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who condemned the security issues surrounding the event. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also voiced concerns, urging all parties to ensure the safety of the operation.

This ceasefire, which is fragile but holds hope for further exchanges, has allowed significant humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, where the war has led to widespread devastation. More than 462,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza, though many face the stark reality of returning to homes destroyed by the conflict.

Negotiations are already underway for the second phase of the deal, set to start on Monday, which will focus on the release of the remaining captives. The truce continues to be a critical moment in the ongoing Gaza conflict, with hopes that these exchanges can pave the way for a more lasting peace.