Ofer Calderon and Yarden Bibas were transferred Saturday morning by the Hamas terror organization to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis, and joined up with IDF forces, who brought them to a reception point in Re'im, where Yarden Bibas met his father and sister.
Two hours later, Keith Siegel was released from Gaza Port. He ascended a stage for a short time, wearing a hat and waving to the crowd. At the transfer point, Hamas gave him two bags. Reports said that one of them was for his wife, Avivah, who was freed in a November 2023 prisoner swap deal.
He was later transferred to the IDF and crossed into Israel, where he met his wife.
Ofer Calderon landed on a helipad at Sheba Medical Center, and when he noticed his friends, he ran to them and waved, to the sound of applause.
The Prime Minister's Office said: "The Government of Israel embraces the returnee Keith Siegel. His family has been updated by the responsible authorities that he is with our forces. The Government, together with all of the security officials, will accompany him and his family. The Government of Israel is committed to returning all of the hostages and the missing."
Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing in the Prime Minister's Office, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch said, "Today, three of our hostages were returned to Israel: Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon and Keith Siegel. We welcome them with a big embrace. We have made arrangements for receiving them and will assist in their rehabilitation after a long period of captivity."
In exchange for the three civilians, Israel will release nine terrorists with life sentences, and 81 other terrorists who are serving lengthy sentences. However, Hamas' Prisoners Office published a list of 183 names, 18 of whom are serving life sentences, 54 of whom are serving extended sentences, and 111 Gaza residents who were arrested following the October 7 massacre.
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