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For the first time in nine months, the Rafah Crossing has been reopened, after nine months. This marks a significant breakthrough in negotiations. The reopening is part of the ceasefire deal agreed upon by Israel and Hamas earlier this month, which also included a high-profile hostage exchange.

Three More Israelis Released in Hostage Exchange

Hamas released three more Israeli hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for 484 days. In response, Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners.

On Saturday morning, 54-year-old Ofer Kalderon and 35-year-old Yarden Bibas were handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza. They were then transported to the Re'im military base for medical examinations and reunions with immediate family members.

A third hostage, 65-year-old Israeli-American Keith Siegel, was later handed over at the destroyed Port of Gaza. Siegel has since crossed into Israeli territory and joined the other two men at Re'im. They were then transferred to a hospital for medical care.

Fears for Missing Hostages

Concerns remain regarding the fate of Mr. Bibas's wife, Shiri, and their two young children, Ariel, 5, and Kfir, 2. The family was taken hostage during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack, and Israeli authorities fear they may not have survived. It is unclear if Mr. Bibas has any information about their fate.

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.

Among the released prisoners was Ali Al-Barghouti, who had been serving two life sentences. Several other detainees had been sentenced to long terms in Israeli prisons.