IRIA News

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Hamas freed three hostages in the southern Gaza Strip and Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday in the fourth round of prisoner-for-hostage exchange in the six-week initial phase of Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the 15-month war in Gaza.

Celebratory scenes erupted in Gaza and Tel Aviv on February 1, 2025, as Palestinian prisoners and Israeli captives reunited with loved ones following their release.

As of now, Hamas has freed a total of 18 hostages, including five Thai citizens, while Israel has released 583 Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations are expected to begin by Tuesday for the release of remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, as part of a second phase aimed at ending the war. The initial six-week truce, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., has largely held despite occasional incidents.

Earlier on January 30, Hamas released eight hostages—five Thai nationals and three dual German-Israeli nationals—in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in the third round of exchanges.

Three Israeli captives freed

Israelis cheered as they watched live broadcasts of the hostages being released from what has become known as “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv.

Among the three captives released by Palestinian militant group Hamas were 65-year-old Israeli-American Keith Siegel, French-Israeli dual national Ofer Kalderon, 54, and Yarden Bibas, 35, the father of the youngest hostage taken captive during the October 7, 2023, attacks. Kalderon and Bibas were handed over to Red Cross officials in Khan Younis before being transferred to Israel.

“Ofer Kalderon is free! We share the immense relief and joy of his loved ones after 483 days of unimaginable hell,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement.

Isaeli-American hostage Keith Siegel, who was separately handed over at the Gaza City seaport,had an emotional reunion with his family members following his release from captivity in Gaza. The White House welcomed the release of hostages. “Today, Americans celebrate the return of American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel and two Israelis who were held captive by Hamas terrorists since October 7, 2023. President Trump and his Administration have worked diligently to secure their release and are committed to freeing all remaining hostages,” according to the White House statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump soon, with discussions likely to focus on the Gaza ceasefire and a potential postwar deal involving normalized relations with Saudi Arabia.

183 Palestinian prisonsers released by Israel

Hours later, the Israeli Prison Authority released 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, who were greeted by large crowds. Of those, 150 arrived in Gaza, while 32 were dropped off in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. One freed prisoner is set to be exiled to Egypt, according to the Hamas prisoners’ media office.

Ali Al-Barghouti, who was serving two life sentences in an Israeli jail, said he was happy to be freed despite the journey of pain and hardship that he endured.

In Khan Younis, some Gazans were joyous and others cried when the freed prisoners arrived at the European Hospital. “They were happy to see the prisoners return,” Dr. Saleh al-Homs said, “but saddened by the heavy price that was paid.”

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society said some of the released prisoners showed signs of starvation, illness and physical injuries, indicating they had been beaten. The said testimonies from released prisoners included accounts of “severe beatings for consecutive days at the hands of the guards, resulting in injuries, including broken ribs,” the society said.

More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s relentless bombing and ground campaign, according to Gazan health officials. In the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, about 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were abducted, according to Israeli officials.

The exchange on February 1, 2025, was the fourth in a multiphase ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and Hamas last month. The six-week phase one truce calls for the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 prisoners, the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated region.

Sick and wounded Gazan children begin crossing to Egypt for treatment

As the hostage and prisoner exchange took place, another key milestone in the ceasefire agreement was reached. For the first time in nearly nine months, the sick and wounded were allowed to cross from Gaza into Egypt through the Rafah border.

On Saturday (February 2), a group of 50 sick and wounded Palestinian children began crossing from Gaza into Egypt for treatment through the Rafah border, marking the first time the crossing had been opened since Israel took control of it nearly nine months ago. Palestinian Red Cross ambulance arrived at the crossing gate, with several children transferred from stretchers into ambulances on the Egyptian side.

The development comes after four American doctors who worked in Gaza had urged the immediate medical evacuation of 2,500 children at risk of death in the next few weeks. The doctors made their appeal to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who stressed that “2,500 children must be immediately evacuated with the guarantee that they will be able to return to their families and communities.”

The reopening of Rafah is a significant development in the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which was reached earlier this month. Israel agreed to reopen the crossing after Hamas released the last surviving female hostages held in Gaza.

Middle East Conflict Highlights

• Ceasefire Deal: Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire agreement after more than 15 months of violence. The deal includes the release of Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
• Hostage-Prisoner exchange: A total of 18 Israeli and other hostages and 583 Palestinian prisoners have been released in four rounds of exchanges as of February 1, 2025.
• Israel-Gaza War: The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking civilians hostage. Israel’s retaliatory invasion devastated Gaza, killing tens of thousands and displacing nearly 2 million people.
• Gaza Crisis: More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed, with women and children making up the majority of the fatalities. Gaza has faced widespread destruction, with many areas reduced to rubble and essential infrastructure in ruins.
• U.S. involvement: Despite political tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and some U.S. officials, the U.S. continues to support Israel, providing military aid and vetoing UN ceasefire resolutions.
• Palestinians return to homes: Displaced Palestinians have started returning to their homes in Gaza. The first aid trucks have also entered Gaza, bringing much-needed supplies to the devastated population.