Hamas to release three hostages, including one American

Palestinian armed group Hamas announced the list of three hostages to be released on Saturday, including an American citizen with dual nationality. The list, publicized by Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida on Telegram, includes Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel, and Ofer Kalderon who will all be released on Saturday.

Keith Siegel holds dual Israeli and American citizenship. He and his wife Aviva were taken from their home in Kfar Aza Kibbutz on October 7, 2023. In November of the same year, Israel and Hamas reached a temporary ceasefire agreement which led to the release of Aviva in a prisoner exchange, while Keith Siegel remained detained in Gaza.

Another hostage to be released on Saturday is Yarden Bibas, who has garnered significant attention. Bibas, along with his wife Shiri and their two sons Kfir and Ariel, were taken hostage on October 7, 2023. At that time, Kfir was only nine months old, making him the youngest hostage, with Ariel being just 4 years old.

Concerns have been raised about the survival prospects of Kfir, Ariel, and their mother, Shiri. Hamas stated at the end of 2023 that they had been killed in the early stages of the Gaza war by Israeli bombardments, although Israel has not confirmed their deaths.

Shortly after their abduction, videos depicting the incident began circulating widely online. The footage shows a frightened Shiri tightly holding her children as they were surrounded by armed attackers. During the Hamas attack, the children’s father, Bibas, was also kidnapped, and a video circulated showing him with a head injury and blood flowing.

The third hostage to be released on Saturday is Kalderon, who was kidnapped alongside his two children, Erez and Sahar, on October 7, 2023. Erez and Sahar were released in a prisoner exchange in November of the same year.