Hamas hands over two Israeli hostages in southern Gaza

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(1 Feb 2025)
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - 1 February 2025
1. Various of hostage French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon being handed over
2. Various of hostage Yarden Bibas being handed over
3. Documents being signed
4. Red Cross vehicles driving off
STORYLINE:
Hamas handed two hostages over to the Red Cross in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, while Palestinian authorities say Israel has agreed to release dozens of prisoners, in the fourth round of exchanges during the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

The truce, which began Jan. 19, is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the Hamas militant group.

The fragile deal has held for nearly two weeks, halting the fighting and allowing for increased aid to flow into the tiny coastal territory.

The militants released Yarden Bibas, 35, and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, 54, in an orderly handover to the Red Cross. Both had been abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war.

Another hostage, American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65, was also set to be released Saturday and was expected to be handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City to the north.

A total of 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners during the truce’s initial six weeks.

Israel says it has received information from Hamas that eight of those hostages were either killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack or have died in captivity

Also on Saturday, wounded Palestinians are expected to be allowed to leave Gaza for Egypt through the Rafah crossing.

It had been the only exit point for Palestinians during the war before Israel closed it in May.

A European Union civilian mission was deployed Friday to prepare for the reopening of the crossing.

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