Ceasefire Deal Leads to Hostage Exchange and Rafah Crossing Reopening

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Mr. Siegel’s wife, Aviva, was also abducted during the attack but was freed during a previous ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in November 2023.

As in previous hostage releases, Hamas paraded the hostages in front of the media. During Thursday’s exchange, chaos erupted in Khan Younis as thousands of Palestinians surged forward, posing a threat to the Israeli hostages.

Banners displaying the faces of Hamas political leaders killed during the war were unfurled behind Mr. Kalderon and Mr. Bibas.

 However, on Saturday, the situation was more controlled and under heavy Israeli security.

Israel Releases 183 Palestinian Prisoners

Following the hostage release, Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. A bus carrying 32 of them departed from Ofer Military Prison in the West Bank, arriving in Ramallah, where they were met with cheers from a large crowd.

According to Hamas’s prisoner media office, one freed prisoner was exiled to Egypt, while 150 were returned to the Gaza Strip. Palestinian authorities reported that 111 of those released had been arrested and detained without trial since October 7, 2023.