1 of 8 | Hamas militants escort Israeli-American Keith Siegel, a prisoner in Gaza, before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Gaza City on Saturday. Photo by Hassan Al-Jedi/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 1 (UPI) — Hamas militants on Saturday released three hostages, including American-Israeli dual national Keith Siegel, in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners.
Siegel was turned over in Gaza City about two hours after Israeli Yarden Bibas and Israeli-French Ofer Kalderon were released in the southern city of Khan Younis.
“The Prison Service concludes the fourth round of terrorist releases, as part of Operation ‘Wings of Freedom’ to return the hostages home,” the authority said in a statement.
Eighteen hostages have been released since the truce on Jan. 19. Israel has released many many times that number of prisoners.
Also as part of the cease-fire, the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened up for the for the first time in nine months. Israel agreed after Hamas released the last living female hostages in Gaza.
The hostages were seized during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack. Seven American citizens were among around 250 taken hostage. Militants killed around 1,200 and the Hamas-run Health Ministry claimed more than 47,400 have been killed during the war.
About 79 hostages now remain in Gaza with 35 presumed dead, according to Israeli authorities.
Three hostages welcomed home
A smiling Siegel, who appeared to have lost weight during his captivity, was handed over to Red Cross staff. A wheelchair was provided but he walked from the helicopter.
They were taken for medical checks and care at hospitals in Israel.
“Welcome home, Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon and Keith Siegel,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on Facebook in Hebrew. “Together with all the citizens of Israel and many around the world, my wife and I embrace you as you return home.
“Our thoughts are now with Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, as well as all our hostages. We will continue working to bring them home.”
Shiri Bibas is Yarden’s wife, and Ariel and Kfir are their sons.
The 65-year-old Siegel, who is originally from North Carolina, moved to Israel four decades ago. Siegel’s wife Aviva was released in an earlier hostage and prisoner swap in November 2023.
Siegel’s family thanked President Donald Trump for “for bringing our father back to us. There are now 79 hostages who are also waiting to be reunited with their loved ones. Our hope rests with you.”
In a statement issued through the Hostages Families Forum, the family said: “Thank you, President Trump, for bringing our father back to us. There are now 79 hostages who are also waiting to be reunited with their loved ones. Our hope rests with you.
“Finally, after 484 long, terrifying days and nights, full of immense worry for our father,