On January 31, 2025, the Palestinian militant group Hamas will release three hostages, including Yarden Bibas, the father of a nine-month-old boy, Kfir, who was abducted during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The announcement was made by Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida via Telegram.
The hostages to be freed also include dual U.S. citizen Keith Siegel and Ofer Kalderon. Siegel was taken hostage alongside his wife, Aviva, who was released in a previous exchange in November 2023. Kalderon’s children, Erez and Sahar, were released in the same exchange.
The fate of Kfir and his four-year-old sister Ariel, who were taken at the same time as their father, remains uncertain, with Hamas having previously indicated they may have been killed in Israeli bombardments.
This release is part of ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israeli authorities regarding hostages and Palestinian prisoners, highlighting the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its humanitarian implications.
Observers will be closely monitoring the situation for any further developments or announcements regarding other hostages and the broader impact on peace negotiations in the region.