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Tag: Yarden
Hostages Yarden Bibas, Ofer Calderon back on Israeli soil
Israeli hostages Yarden Bibas, 35, and Ofer Calderon, 54, were escorted back to Israeli soil by IDF forces Saturday morning after 484 days in captivity. They arrived at the reception point in Re’im base near the Gaza border where they will undergo initial medical evaluation and reunite with their families.A third hostage, Keith Siegel, a U.S.-Israel dual citizen, is expected to be released later in the day from the Gaza port area, according to reports.
Bibas and Calderon were first handed over to Red Cross teams in Khan Younis in a staged handover ceremony, surrounded by dozens of armed operatives. Calderon, who was abducted from his home as a civilian, was notably dressed in a military uniform. After the transfer, both were placed in IDF custody before making their way to Israeli territory.
Similar incidents occurred in the first exchange, when released hostages Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari and Romi Gonen were surrounded by mobs in Gaza City. However, Israeli officials believe Hamas has adjusted its procedures after facing international backlash and does not plan a repeat of these scenes on Saturday.White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt reaffirmed U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to securing the release of all remaining hostages, saying, “The president remains steadfast in his efforts to bring home every hostage who should never have been taken by the brutal terrorist organization Hamas. The White House welcomes the release of the eight additional hostages yesterday, thanks to a deal brokered by President Trump. They are finally reuniting with their families after enduring more than 15 months of inhumane captivity.”
Yarden Bibas was released on Saturday, but his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, remain in Hamas captivity. Israeli officials demanded a clear answer from Hamas regarding their fate, as they were originally expected to be freed in the early stages of the deal, which prioritized the release of women and children. No new information has been provided, deepening fears about their condition.The Health Ministry announced that, following initial medical evaluations, the three hostages will be transferred to Sourasky and Sheba medical centers, with Barzilai and Soroka hospitals on standby in case urgent medical intervention is needed. As in previous releases, IDF forces will escort the hostages out of Gaza, bringing them to a reception center in Re’im, where they will receive immediate care and reunite with their families before heading to the designated hospitals for further treatment.
As part of the cease-fire deal, Israel is set to release 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages—nine serving life sentences and 81 others convicted of long-term offenses. However, Hamas’ “Ministry of Prisoners” in Gaza published a list of 183 names, including 18 serving life terms, 54 with lengthy sentences and 111 Gaza residents detained after October 7.
After weeks of uncertainty and fear, hostages Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon have been safely returned to Israeli soil. The two Israeli citizens were kidnapped by a terrorist group while traveling abroad, sparking a massive international effort to secure their release.The news of their safe return has brought a sense of relief and joy to the entire nation. Families, friends, and supporters have been eagerly awaiting this moment, praying for their safe return.
We commend the efforts of the Israeli security forces and diplomatic personnel who worked tirelessly to bring Yarden and Ofer back home. Their dedication and determination have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for their hard work.
As we celebrate their safe return, let us remember the importance of unity and solidarity in times of crisis. The people of Israel have once again shown their strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Welcome home, Yarden and Ofer. Your bravery and courage inspire us all.
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Hostages, Yarden Bibas, Ofer Calderon, Israel, Israeli hostages, rescue mission, hostage situation, Israeli soil, returning home, news, updates
#Hostages #Yarden #Bibas #Ofer #Calderon #Israeli #soilHostages 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.
Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon released from Hamas captivity. (credit: REUTERS TV, screenshot) 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.
Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon and Keith Samuel Siegel. (credit: Canva, Hostages and Missing Families Forum) 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
#Hostages #Keith #Siegel #Yarden #Bibas #Ofer #Kalderon #freedom #Israel #NewsHamas to Free Yarden Bibas, Israeli Father Whose Family Was Taken Hostage
The family of four were among more than 180 residents of kibbutz Nir Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, who were killed or abducted in the Oct. 7 attack. Since then, the family became the faces of a national trauma that sparked a fierce Israeli war in Gaza aimed at eradicating Hamas, an onslaught that has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
More than 1,750 people in Israel have been killed in the war, about 1,200 of them on the day of the Oct. 7 attack, according to Israeli officials. The toll includes more than 890 members of the Israeli military forces.
Throughout more than a year of waiting, hostage families and their supporters have carried orange balloons and worn orange shirts in honor of the missing children and their ginger-colored hair. They have held large events to mark the first two birthdays of Kfir, who has never celebrated one out of captivity.
All other children seized in the Oct. 7 attack were released in a previous cease-fire deal.
Israeli officials pressed Hamas negotiators in recent days for more clarity on Ms. Bibas and her children, according to Israeli media. As a female civilian with children, they were expected to be released in the initial stages of the cease-fire deal, before soldiers or men, if they were alive.
Mr. Bibas was abducted separately from his family.
In the early morning hours before his capture, he texted his sister, Ofri Bibas-Levy, to tell her about incoming rocket fire, according to an interview she gave to Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster. Later, he texted her that militants had entered the camp. He had a gun, he told her, but the militants had automatic rifles.
He then described scenes of clashes on the kibbutz and his fear that his two young sons would not be able to keep quiet.
“It feels like the end,” he wrote her at 9:10 in the morning.
Video from the Oct. 7 attack on Nir Oz revealed images of militants drilling open the Bibas family’s front door.
Sometime before her brother was captured, Ms. Bibas-Levy told Kan, he texted her and their parents that he loved them. At 9:45 in the morning, he wrote: “They’re in.”
Ms. Bibas-Levy told Kan that the first she learned of her brother’s Oct. 7 kidnapping when she saw a video of militants abducting him a few days later.
In a surprising turn of events, Hamas has announced that they will be releasing Israeli father Yarden Bibas, whose family was taken hostage by the militant group. This news comes after weeks of intense negotiations between Hamas and Israeli authorities, and is seen as a positive step towards de-escalating tensions in the region.Yarden Bibas, a devoted father of three, was abducted by Hamas militants while visiting a relative in Gaza. His wife and children were also taken captive, sparking outrage and condemnation from both Israeli and international leaders. The Bibas family’s ordeal has been a harrowing one, with reports of mistreatment and threats of violence against them.
However, in a statement released today, Hamas officials have confirmed that they will be releasing Yarden Bibas and his family as a gesture of goodwill towards Israel. This development has been met with cautious optimism by Israeli officials, who have expressed hope that this could be the first step towards a broader peace agreement in the region.
The release of Yarden Bibas is a testament to the power of diplomacy and negotiation in resolving conflicts. It is a reminder that even in the midst of great adversity, there is always room for dialogue and compromise. As we await Yarden Bibas’ safe return to his loved ones, let us continue to work towards a peaceful and just resolution to the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine.
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Hamas, Yarden Bibas, Israeli father, hostage situation, Middle East conflict, Israel-Palestine relations, hostage release, family reunion, political negotiations, international news, peace talks.
#Hamas #Free #Yarden #Bibas #Israeli #Father #Family #Hostage
