Synopsis
On January 31, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office revealed that Hamas will release three Israeli civilian hostages, including Ofer Calderon, Keith Siegel, and Yarden Bibas, as part of a ceasefire agreement. The operation highlights the ongoing conflict in the region and the tragic circumstances surrounding hostages taken by Hamas.Key Takeaways
- Israel has received a list of three hostages to be released.
- The hostages include Ofer Calderon, Keith Siegel, and Yarden Bibas.
- Bibas' family was also taken to Gaza on October 7.
- The ceasefire-for-hostages deal began on January 19.
- Israeli military operations continue in the West Bank.
Jerusalem, Jan 31 (NationPress) The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced on Friday that Israel has obtained the list of three Israeli civilian hostages that Hamas will set free on Saturday.
This list features Ofer Calderon, a 54-year-old Israeli-French citizen, Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old Israeli-American citizen, and Yarden Bibas, who is 35 years old.
Bibas' wife, Shiri, along with their two sons, Ariel, aged five, and Kfir, aged two, were also captured and taken to Gaza on October 7, 2023. Although the Israeli military has not officially confirmed their deaths, they have previously voiced grave concerns regarding their situation.
As part of a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement established between Israel and Hamas, which began on January 19, three Israeli hostages are set to be released on Saturday.
During the initial six-week phase of this ceasefire agreement, a total of five Israeli civilians, five female Israeli soldiers, and five Thai nationals have already been freed.
The first phase of this plan entails the release of 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza and nearly 2,000 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
In a related note, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) reported on Friday that they have eliminated two Palestinian militants in Jenin, situated in the northern West Bank.
According to their statement, on Thursday, the IDF, in collaboration with the ISA, surrounded a building and killed the two militants inside.
During this operation, IDF soldiers had to engage in close-quarters combat, resulting in the death of one Israeli soldier and injuries to five others.
Since January 21, the IDF, ISA, and Israel Border Police have been executing a military operation dubbed 'Iron Wall' in the Jenin and Tulkarm areas of the West Bank aimed at dismantling terrorist groups within the territory.
Throughout this operation, numerous Palestinian militants have been killed, wounded, or captured, and many homes have been destroyed.
