Hamas, Israel Complete Fourth Gaza Truce Swap
AFP | Jerusalem
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Hamas freed three Israeli hostages yesterday in exchange for more than 180 Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli custody in the fourth such swap under a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
Hostages Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas were paraded on stage by Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis.
American-Israeli Keith Siegel was freed in a similar ceremony at Gaza City’s port in the north.
The Israeli military later confirmed that all three were back in Israel.
Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum hailed their release as “a ray of light in the darkness.”
“I hope that this is a sign of the rebirth of the people of Israel, not just of Ofer, not just of the hostages,” Kalderon’s uncle Shemi told AFP, overcome with emotion.
Later in the day, a bus carrying released Palestinian prisoners was greeted by a cheering crowd in the West Bank city of Ramallah, while three others were met by hundreds of well-wishers in Khan Yunis.
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