Hamas Releases Two Israeli Captives As Exchange Process Continues
Hamas released two of the three Israeli captives scheduled for release on Tuesday, handing them over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in southern Gaza, while preparations for further releases continue.
The two released captives are part of a group of three identified as Ofer Kalderon, Keith Siegel, and Yarden Bibas. The handover took place in an open square adjacent to Salah al-Din Street in Khan Younis, where Hamas’ military wing has been making preparations.
Masked resistance fighters in black and green uniforms, wearing green headbands, lined the roads designated for the transfer. Military vehicles and banners were also present at the site, with fighters deployed in the square to oversee the process. Observers note that the level of organization appears higher than in previous releases.
Separately, Hamas fighters handed another Israeli captive over to the ICRC in northern Gaza. Red Cross officials signed documents presented by Hamas before taking the two captives into their care.
ICRC vehicles carrying the released individuals left the exchange site.
In southern Khan Younis, ICRC vehicles took position at the designated handover location. Dozens of Hamas fighters remained stationed at the site, and a military vehicle was playing music over loudspeakers.
A small crowd of Palestinians gathered at a respectful distance, some holding Palestinian and Hamas flags.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society announced that 183 Palestinian detainees are set to be released from Israeli jails later today as part of the fourth exchange of captives held in Gaza.
