In a critical development aimed at ending the 15-month conflict in Gaza, Palestinian militant group Hamas recently released three Israeli hostages. The exchange also saw the release of approximately 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, marking a substantial step in the ongoing truce.

Three Israeli nationals—Ofer Kalderon, a French-Israeli dual national; Yarden Bibas; and Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American—were transferred to Red Cross officials and subsequently to Israeli custody. Kalderon and Bibas were handed over in Khan Younis,南部 Gaza, while Siegel was handed over separately at the Gaza City seaport.

Hours following the hostage release, 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were set free in accordance with the terms of the truce. Among these, 150 returned to Gaza, and 32 were released in Ramallah, West Bank, where they were welcomed by enthusiastic crowds. One prisoner was exiled to Egypt, per the Hamas prisoners’ media office.

“I feel joy despite the journey of pain and hardship that we lived,” said Ali Al-Barghouti, who had been serving two life sentences in an Israeli prison. “The life sentence was broken and the occupation will one day be broken,” he added, with the crowd around him in Ramallah chanting “Allah Akbar (God is the most great).”

The Rafah crossing, reopened as per the truce terms, welcomed its first patients, including children seeking medical treatment for conditions like cancer and heart disease, to cross into Egypt for better care. However, Mohammad Zaqout, a senior health ministry official in Gaza, criticized the limited number of patients allowed to travel, noting that approximately 18,000 people required more extensive healthcare.

In Israel, crowds gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv to watch the release of the hostages on large screens, their emotions a mix of relief, joy, and tears as they greeted the freedom of their loved ones.

Ofer Kalderon, whose children were previously released in an earlier hostage exchange, and Yarden Bibas, mounted a stage in Khan Younis, in front of a poster featuring Hamas figures, including the recently deceased military commander Mohammed Deif. They were then handed over to Red Cross officials.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed immense relief and joy on behalf of Kalderon’s family, stating, “Ofer Kalderon is free! We share the immense relief and joy of his loved ones after 483 days of unimaginable hell.”

This latest development in the Gaza peace process underscores the potential for meaningful progress in resolving the long-standing conflict. The release of both hostages and prisoners indicates a commitment from both sides to de-escalation and reconciliation.

However, challenges remain, including concerns over the full implementation of the truce agreement and the ongoing need for comprehensive healthcare solutions in Gaza. Continued cooperation between the parties is essential for sustainable peace and well-being in the region.

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