Prisoners Exchanged for the Fourth Time Under Ceasefire, Hamas Releases 2 Israeli Hostages.
The fourth phase of the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Saturday (February 1, 2025). Under this phase, Hamas released two Israeli hostages before the scheduled release of 183 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. This exchange is part of ongoing efforts to implement a temporary truce and facilitate humanitarian efforts in the war-torn region.
Hamas Releases Hostages Amid Ceasefire
According to an AFP report, Hamas paraded the two hostages, Ofer Calderon and Yarden Bibas, on a stage in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, before handing them over to the International Red Cross Committee. In a similar move, a third hostage, Keith Siegel, is expected to be released following a separate ceremony at Gaza City Port in the north.
The Israeli military later confirmed that both Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon have safely returned to Israeli territory. The return of these hostages has been met with mixed emotions, as families continue to await the fate of others still held in captivity.
#Hamas on Saturday released all three #Israeli hostages in the fourth exchange of the #ceasefire deal, ahead of the expected release of 183 #Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Read: https://t.co/KG13DQNYDV
📹: AFP pic.twitter.com/I78rYadbIh
— Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) February 1, 2025
Background: Ceasefire Agreement and Hostage Releases
After 15 months of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas, a ceasefire agreement came into effect on January 19, 2025. This ceasefire facilitated the gradual release of hostages, with Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants handing over 18 Israeli captives so far in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been playing a key role in overseeing these exchanges.
Israel Set to Release 183 Palestinian Prisoners
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club advocacy group stated that Israel will release 183 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday as part of the latest exchange deal. The club’s spokesperson, Amani Sarahneh, revealed that initially, Israel had announced the release of 90 prisoners, but this number was later increased to 183. Many of the Palestinian detainees set for release include women and minors, underscoring the humanitarian aspect of the ongoing negotiations.
Ceasefire and Diplomatic Efforts Continue
This fourth prisoner exchange highlights the fragile but ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict. International mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, have been actively working to sustain the ceasefire and facilitate further negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Despite the exchanges, uncertainty looms over the long-term stability of the ceasefire, as both sides continue to express deep-seated grievances. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that military operations may resume if Hamas does not adhere to the terms of the truce.
The global community continues to closely monitor the situation, urging both parties to commit to peace talks and avoid further escalation.
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