First US Citizen Freed By Hamas From Gaza In Ongoing Hostage Swaps: Keith Siegel Released After 484 Days In Captivity
(MENAFN- Live Mint) In a significant development under the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65, was released on Saturday after 484 days in captivity. Siegel becomes the first US citizen freed as part of the recent hostage-for-prisoner swaps organised by Hamas and facilitated by the Red Cross.
Siegel, an occupational therapist from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, along with his wife, Aviva, during a raid on their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Aviva was released in November 2023 as part of a previous deal.
Two other men held hostage in Gaza by Hamas for over 15 months were also freed on Saturday, marking the release of 18 hostages since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas began on January 19 .
Among those released was Yarden Bibas, 35, a father whose two young children and wife, Shiri, remain in captivity. The Bibas family's abduction has become a rallying point in Israel , as the two young boys, ages 4 and 9 months at the time, and their mother have not been confirmed dead by Israeli authorities, although fears are mounting. They are the last known woman and children held in Gaza whose deaths have not been verified by Israel.
Along with Bibas, and American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65, French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, 54, was also freed. Both Siegel and Kalderon became household names in Israel due to high-profile campaigns aimed at securing their release.
The hostages' release is part of a broader ceasefire agreement in which 33 hostages will be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
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