- February 1, 2025
- 2:44 pm
- Israel
On February 1, 2025, three hostages returned to Israel after being held captive by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip for 484 days. Among the released individuals are:
- Yarden Bibas
- Shmuel (Kit) Sigal
- Offer Calderon
All three were abducted on October 7, 2023, during the terror attacks on the kibbutzim KFAR-Aza and Nir-Oz. Their release was part of the fourth stage of the exchange agreement with Hamas.
Transfer procedure: scenes, cameras and staged ceremonies
The handover of hostages took place at two different locations:
- South Gaza – Khan Younis (Yarden Bibas and Offer Calderon)
- North – Gaza Port in Jabalia (Shmuel Sigal)
Unlike previous exchange rounds, the transfer ceremony in Khan Younis included: only a few dozen Hamas militants were present. Bibas and Calderon walked up on their own onto the stage, waved to the cameras, and then proceeded towards Red Cross vehicles.
In the north, at the Gaza Port, the situation was somewhat different. Shmuel Sigal struggled to move and was assisted by accompanying militants. Palestinian media reported that the transfer of hostages was conducted by Hith Al-Khawajiri, whom the IDF had previously declared neutralized. Later, the Israeli military acknowledged the mistake – the terrorist was still alive.
Return to Israel and meeting with loved ones
After the transfer, the hostages were taken by the Red Cross and delivered to Israel, where they were first examined by military doctors at the REMI complex. They were then airlifted by helicopter to hospitals “Ihilov” and “Shiba”.
According to doctors:
- The condition of Offer Calderon and Yarden Bibas is satisfactory.
- Shmuel Sigal is very weakened but is able to move independently.
When meeting with relatives, Yarden Bibas asked for “beer and Bamba”. Offer Calderon, upon seeing friends near the hospital, stopped the car, waved, and shouted that he loves everyone.
The context of the exchange agreement
Hamas announced that as part of this stage, 183 Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli prisons:
- 18 are serving life sentences.
- 54 were sentenced to long terms.
- 111 were detained after October 7, 2023.
Conclusion
This stage of the exchange demonstrates that Israel continues to bring its citizens home despite all the challenges of negotiations. However, the fact that a terrorist, whom the IDF had classified as neutralized, conducted the transfer of hostages raises concerns about the reliability of data on eliminated militants.
The release of hostages is a joy for their families, but the struggle between Israel and Hamas for the complete return of all abducted individuals is still far from over.
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