Hamas has informed the Israeli government of the names of three male hostages set to be released tomorrow.
Initially, Israeli officials requested that their names not be disclosed until their families were notified. Once the notifications were completed, their identities were made public. Specifically, the hostages are Ofer Calderon, Kit Sigal, and Yarden Bibas.
Sigal, 65, is an American citizen originally from North Carolina. He was taken hostage along with his wife, Aviva, from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Aviva was released in November 2023.
Calderon, 54, was abducted along with his two children, Erez and Sahar, from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. The children were released during the last ceasefire.
Bibas, 35, was kidnapped separately from his wife and children—Siri, Ariel, and Kfir—who were all taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Hamas has claimed that Siri and the two boys were killed in captivity. Israel has not officially confirmed their deaths but has expressed “serious concern” over their fate. Bibas was injured during his abduction.
It is worth noting that yesterday, three Israeli hostages (two young women and one man) and five Thai hostages were released. Netanyahu reacted to the conditions under which the process took place and demanded guarantees for the safety of the hostages returning to Israel in the coming days before allowing the corresponding release of Palestinian prisoners.
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