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Three Israelis, including a dual US citizen will be released by militant group Hamas in the next exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
Yarden Bibas, (left), Ofer Kalderon (centre) and Keith Siegel will be handed over to Israel on Saturday. (Photo: Reuters)
Jerusalem,UPDATED: Jan 31, 2025 15:48 IST
Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Friday it would free the father of the youngest hostages seized in its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and two others, including a dual US citizen in the next exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel and Ofer Kalderon will be handed over on Saturday, Hamas armed wing spokesperson Abu Obeida said in a post on his Telegram channel.
Yarden Bibas is the father of baby Kfir, only nine months old when he was kidnapped, and Ariel, who was four at the time of the attack.
There was no word on the fate of Kfir and Ariel, or on their mother Shiri, who was taken at the same time. Hamas said in late 2023 that they had been killed by Israeli bombardment.
Israeli-American Keith Siegel, who was taken hostage with his wife Aviva, was seen in a video released by Hamas last year. His wife was released in the first hostage-for-prisoner exchange in November 2023.
Ofer Kalderon's two children, Erez and Sahar, abducted alongside him, were also released in the first exchange.
Published On:
Jan 31, 2025
