Palestinian militant group Hamas announced on Friday that it will release three hostages, including the father of the youngest captive from the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, in the next exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas’ armed wing spokesperson, Abu Obeida, stated on Telegram that Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel, and Ofer Kalderon will be freed on Saturday.
Bibas is the father of baby Kfir, who was just nine months old at the time of his abduction, and Ariel, who was four. Their mother, Shiri, was also taken hostage. Hamas previously claimed in late 2023 that the mother and two children had been killed in Israeli airstrikes, though Israeli authorities have not confirmed their deaths.
Keith Siegel, a dual US-Israeli citizen, was taken along with his wife, Aviva, who was released during the first hostage-for-prisoner exchange in November 2023. Siegel had appeared in a video released by Hamas last year.
Ofer Kalderon’s children, Erez and Sahar, were also abducted but were released in the same November exchange.
Israel has not yet commented on the planned releases.
Melissa Enoch
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