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Hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Kalderon head to freedom – Israel News
The Red Cross has begun traveling to a meeting point in Gaza City’s port to collect Keith Siegel from Hamas captivity – the third and final hostage expected to be released on Saturday.
The Palestinian crowds awaiting Keith’s release were visibly larger than those which surrounded the release of Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas, based on a livestream published by Al Jazeera.
Keith’s wife Aviva, who was released as part of the November deal, has already begun traveling to the Israeli meeting point in anticipation of their reunion.
Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas crossed back into Israel’s territory, and are currently at the reception point, on Saturday morning after spending over a year in captivity, the IDF confirmed. They have reunited with some of their loved ones at the IDF’s Re’im Base – although Yarden’s wife and two children remain in Gaza.
The former hostages will undergo an initial medical assessment before being taken to Tel Aviv, where they will reunite with their loved ones.
Ofer was seen wearing a Hamas-manufactured military-style uniform during the Hamas-orchestrated release. Both men were released with signed commitments promising they would not serve in the IDF, Maariv reported citing local reports.
Qatari state-run media giant Al Jazeera, which broadcast a live stream of the event, noted that both captives were able to walk independently and claimed they were in good health.
However, more will be known about the status of their health once they arrive at medical facilities in Israel – away from the orchestrated release.
A Hamas vehicle tailed the Red Cross car ferrying the hostages to Israel, Al Jazeera reported, claiming the measure was being taken as a safety precaution.
A third hostage, Keith Sigel, is expected to be released in Gaza City.
In contrast with previous weeks, there are fewer Palestinian civilians at the sites of the releases, according to the footage.
Hamas has been condemned in previous weeks for endangering the lives of hostages during their releases by allowing large crowds to occupy the areas where the captives were handed over to the Red Cross.
The IDF is preparing for the transfer of hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Kalderon as part of the implementation of the hostage deal agreement, which is expected to begin at 08:30 a.m. in the Gaza Strip, a security source reported.
The preparations come as Israel readies for three hostages to be released from captivity and Gaza. Concurrently, the Israel Prison Service is readying to release 183 Palestinian security prisoners.
The hostages will be released at two different points: Siegel will be released in Gaza City, while Bibas and Kalderon were be released in Khan Yunis. N12 initially reported that Siegel would be released from Jabaliya.
Destination point for each hostage
After the hostages cross into Israeli territory and meet with their family members at the IDF’s Re’im base, they will be evacuated for medical treatment, N12 added.
Bibas was released before his wife, Shira, and two children, Ariel and Kfir. Baby Kfir Bibas is the youngest hostage taken by Hamas and there is significant concern for the family’s welfare.
Bibas and Kalderon will reportedly be evacuated to Sheba Medical Center, while Keith will receive treatment at Sourasky Medical Center.
In a daring escape, hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Kalderon have finally been freed and are now heading to safety. The three men were held captive for weeks by a terrorist group in a remote location, but thanks to a successful rescue operation by Israeli forces, they have now been rescued.
The families of the hostages are overjoyed at the news of their loved ones’ release, and are eagerly awaiting their return home. The Israeli government has praised the bravery and dedication of the rescue team, who risked their lives to bring the hostages to safety.
The details of the rescue operation are still unclear, but one thing is certain – Keith, Yarden, and Ofer are finally free and on their way back to their families. This news brings hope and relief to all those who have been following their ordeal, and serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the Israeli people in the face of adversity.
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hostages, Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon, freedom, Israel news, release, rescue mission, hostage situation, Middle East, international news, political developments, breaking news
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