Yulia Karra
February 2

Six more Israeli hostages abducted on October 7, 2023 were freed by Hamas over the weekend after spending more than a year in captivity in Gaza.

Keith Siegel, Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas

On Saturday, American citizen Keith Siegel, 65, French citizen Ofer Kalderon, 54, and Yarden Bibas, 36, were released after 484 days as hostages.

Hamas terrorists hand over hostage Yarden Bibas to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis. Photo by Abed Rahim/Flash 90
Hamas terrorists hand over hostage Yarden Bibas to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis. Photo by Abed Rahim/Flash 90

In what has become a regular procedure, Hamas paraded the hostages on a stage, forcing them to wave to the cameras, while holding “certificates of release.”

Kalderon and Bibas were transfered to the Red Cross in Khan Younis at 8:30am. Siegel was handed over to the Red Cross two hours later at the Gaza City port.

Hamas parades hostage Keith Siegel in Gaza City. Photo by Ali Hassan/Flash90
Hamas parades hostage Keith Siegel in Gaza City. Photo by Ali Hassan/Flash90

The Red Cross then transported the hostages to the IDF forces stationed inside Gaza, who drove them over to a military base on the Israeli side of the border. Upon arrival, they met with some of their family members and underwent a preliminary medical examintion.

Kalderon and Bibas were then taken via helicopter to Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan.

Kalderon was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz with his four young children, who were released in a hostage deal in November 2023, and fought tirelessly to free their father.

Bibas was abducted with his wife Shiri and their toddler sons, Kfir and Ariel, from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Shiri, Kfir and Ariel still remain in captivity, with Hamas claiming they were killed shortly after the war broke out

Israel insists they will not determine the status of Shiri, Kfir and Ariel until they receive concrete proof from the terror group that the three are no longer alive.

Siegel, meanwhile, was taken to Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv. Earlier he reunited with his wife Aviva, who was kidnapped along with Keith from their home in Kfar Aza, but freed in November 2023.

Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses

On Thursday, soldier Agam Berger, 20, and civilians Arbel Yehud, 29, and Gadi Moses, 80, were released during organized events at two separate locations in Gaza. Five Thai workers who were abducted on October 7 were also released on the same day.

Dressed in a mock IDF uniform, Berger was freed in Jabalia, in a ceremony staged by Hamas. The ceremony was similar to the one that took place during the release of four female soldiers – Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag – on Saturday.

Agam Berger during a Hamas ceremony in Gaza. Photo: Screenhot
Agam Berger during a Hamas ceremony in Gaza. Photo: Screenhot

The five soldiers were all part of one IDF intelligence unit. They were abducted together from a military base in Nahal Oz on October 7. The sixth female soldier from the same unit, Ori Megidish, was also abducted, but rescued by Israeli troops shortly after the war broke out.

Berger was first handed over to the Red Cross, and later reunited with her parents at an IDF military base near the Gaza border. She was then transported to Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, where her comrades are currently being kept for observation.

Agam Berger reunites with her parents upon her release. Photo courtesy of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit 
Agam Berger reunites with her parents upon her release. Photo courtesy of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit 

Yehud and Moses were abducted by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and held captive by the terror group in Khan Yunis.

The chaotic handover of the hostages to the Red Cross saw hundreds of Gazans gather in Khan Yunis, next to the destroyed house of Yahya Sinwar, a former Hamas leader eliminated by Israel in October.

The five Thai hostages – Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat and Rumnao Surasak – were released and handed over to the Red Cross at the same location. 

The mob that surrounded the vehicles with the hostages significantly delayed their release.

Arbel and Moses were then handed over to the IDF forces inside Gaza, before finally making it to the Israeli side of the border, where they were reunited with some of their loved ones.

The released hostages were set to undergo health checks at different hospitals around the country: Yehud at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Moses at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv, and the five Thai citizens at Shamir Medical Center at Be’er Ya’akov.

Moses was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 attack. His partner, Efrat Katz, was murdered. Moses marked his 80th birthday in captivity. 

Yehud was taken by terrorists into Gaza from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, along with her partner, Ariel Cunio, who still remains in captivity. Yehud’s brother, Dolev, was killed on October 7 while treating the wounded. His remains were discovered inside the kibbutz only eight months later.

The six are the third and fourth set of hostages to be released as part of the deal brokered between Israel and terrorist groups in Gaza. Dozens of additional hostages are expected to be released in the coming weeks. In return, Israel is expected to free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, hundreds of them jailed for their roles in deadly terror attacks.

President Isaac Herzog welcomed the return of the hostages. “They have endured hell with unparalleled bravery, and they are finally reunited with their wonderful families and loved ones.

“We will not rest and we will not be silent until every one of our sisters and brothers have been returned from captivity in Gaza. Till the last one returns!”

More on Life

Fighting for Israel's truth

We cover what makes life in Israel so special — it's people. A non-profit organization, ISRAEL21c's team of journalists are committed to telling stories that humanize Israelis and show their positive impact on our world. You can bring these stories to life by making a donation of $6/month. 

Jason Harris

Jason Harris

Executive Director

More on Gaza conflict