Gaza — Hamas has released three Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian detainees as part of a ceasefire deal.
The hostages, identified as Yarden Bibas (34), Ofer Kalderon (53), and Keith Siegel (65), were handed over to the Red Cross on Saturday morning. The exchange follows an agreement brokered last month to ease ongoing tensions.
Despite the release, around 79 Israeli hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, with 35 presumed dead according to Israeli authorities.
The Palestinian detainees, many transferred from the Ofer prison facility, were transported by bus to Gaza and the West Bank.
Hamas alleged that several Palestinian prisoners faced abuse and torture during their detention in Israel. The group called for international bodies, including the United Nations and human rights organizations, to investigate the claims and hold perpetrators accountable.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office reported disturbing testimonies from released detainees, citing incidents of “severe beatings” that allegedly caused injuries, including fractured ribs. The office also accused Israeli authorities of subjecting prisoners to physical and psychological torture, systematic starvation, and inadequate medical care, which reportedly led to disease outbreaks such as scabies.
Saturday’s release process was smoother compared to Thursday’s exchange, which faced delays due to large crowds gathering around hostages, prompting safety concerns.
By Taiwo Olatinwo| February 1, 2025
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