Hamas releases three Israeli hostages - as Palestinian prisoners also freed

Crowds greet freed Palestinian prisoners in West Bank

Crowds of people rushed to greet Palestinians held prisoner in Israel as they arrived via bus in the West Bank.

Tears were shed and cheers heard as the former inmates were carried on the shoulders of those gathered to meet them.

Some wore bandanas displaying the Palestinian flag on their heads.

Family of freed hostage thanks Trump

The family of Keith Siegel says they are "filled with indescribable excitement" to see him set foot on Israeli soil.

"Finally, after 484 long, terrifying days and nights, full of immense worry for our father, we can breathe again," they said.

"Thank you President Trump, for bringing our father back to us. 

"There are now 79 hostages who are also waiting to be reunited with their loved ones. Our hope rests with you."

The family said the ceasefire deal "prioritises human life and embodies Jewish and Israeli values".

"As citizens, it is our duty to ensure that all the hostages return -those who are alive to their families for healing and rehabilitation, and those who were murdered to receive a proper burial in the land of Israel."

50 wounded Palestinians to be evacuated from Gaza - but up to 14,000 need urgent care abroad

A total of 50 wounded Palestinians are set to be evacuated from Gaza today as part of the ceasefire deal, according to the head of the World Health Organisation.

It is the first time patients will be allowed through the Rafah crossing into Egypt since May last year.

Yet 12,000 to 14,000 people still require urgent specialised medical care, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"We continue to call for the scaling up of medical evacuations through all possible routes."

Desperate sadness alongside joy as hostages return to Israel

There is a blend of emotions in Hostages Square as hundreds gather to watch the return of these three men.

On the one hand, joy at their release. All three were applauded vociferously as they appeared on the big screen.

But when Yardan Bibas walked up onto the stage in Gaza ahead of his release, alone and drawn, there was a desperate sense of sadness. He had been captured along with his wife, Shiri, and their two small children, Ariel, four, and Kfir - who was just nine months old at the time.

Images of the two red-headed children have become familiar across Israel. For many, they are a touchstone to the enduring pain of 7 October 2023. 

In November 2023, Hamas claimed that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir had been killed in an Israeli air strike, a claim that was never confirmed by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Across Israel, people hoped that the story was false and that the children had survived. 

Now, as Yarden stood alone, with no trace of a smile, the question was asked again - where are Shiri and the children? Are they alive? And an assumption, sad but now persistent, that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir had died. 

As the crowd in the square watched a broadcast of Yarden hugging his father, silence fell. 

"He has left hell," said a man watching in the square, "but I think he has hell ahead of him."

Palestinian prisoners arrive in West Bank

Buses carrying Palestinian prisoners released by Israel have arrived in the West Bank.

Footage from the scene in Beitunia shows the prisoners leaving their buses and being lifted above crowds.

Following the release of three hostages by Hamas, 183 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be freed by Israel.

Bus carrying Palestinian inmates leaves Israeli prison

A bus has left Ofer prison in Israel carrying some of the Palestinian prisoners set to be released today.

Some 183 prisoners are to be freed, including 18 with life sentences, 54 with long sentences, and 111 arrested after 7 October 2023, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club.

Final hostage freed today crosses border

The last of three hostages released today has crossed the border into Israel, the Israeli military says.

Keith Siegel is on his way to a reception point in southern Israel, where he will be reunited with his family.

The military also released this photo of Ofer Calderon when he entered Israel earlier this morning.

Hamas releases three Israeli hostages

Footage shows the moment Keith Samuel Siegel, 65, was led on stage by Hamas fighters before being released to the Red Cross in Gaza City.

Further south, in Khan Younis, Ofer Kalderon, 54, and Yarden Bibas, 35, were freed in a similar ceremony.

Papers were signed by the Red Cross and the hostages waved to the crowd.

79 captives still in Gaza, says hostages and families group

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum says the release of three captives "brings a ray of light in the darkness".

"Yet their return also reminds us that 79 hostages remain in Gaza, still waiting to be saved," it said.

"We will not rest until every phase of this deal is completed and every hostage is returned - the living to reunite with their loved ones, and the deceased for proper burial with dignity.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​"

Israel watches release of hostages

In Tel Aviv, Israel, supporters clapped and threw their hands in the air as they watched Hamas release three hostages this morning.

Ofer Kalderon, 54, is taking off in an Israeli Air Force helicopter to a hospital in the city, where he will reunite with members of his family and receive medical treatment.

Yarden Bibas, 35, and his family are due to take off soon to fly to the hospital.

Keith Samuel Siegel, 65, is being transported by the IDF in Gaza to Israel.

Third hostage handed over to Red Cross

Hamas has handed hostage Keith Samuel Siegel, 65, over to the Red Cross.

Members of the humanitarian organisation signed a document before he was led on stage and waved briefly, as cheers were heard.

Siegel will now be transported to Israeli forces in Gaza and on to Israel.

Two hostages released in Khan Younis earlier, Ofer Kalderon, 54, and Yarden Bibas, 35, have already crossed the border.

Hamas releasing third hostage

The third hostage set to be freed today has emerged in Gaza City.

American-Israeli Keit Samuel Siegel, 65, can be seen being led onto a stage on the beach.

Earlier, Ofer Kalderon, 54, and Yarden Bibas, 35, were released in Khan Younis as part of a fragile ceasefire deal with Israel.

Dozens of Palestinian prisoners are to be freed in exchange.

Red Cross arrives at handover site

The Red Cross has arrived in Gaza City for the release of American-Israeli Keith Samuel Siegel.

Members of the humanitarian organisation are signing a document on a stage, which has been erected on the beach.

Rows of armed fighters stand nearby.

Family of freed hostage 'overwhelmed with joy' after his 'nightmare' ends

The family of Ofer Kalderon says they are "overwhelmed with joy" after an "unbearable" 484 days waiting for him to be freed.

The 54-year-old was one of two hostages released this morning.

"Today, we finally embrace Ofer, seeing and truly comprehending that he is here with us.

"We have witnessed how, through extraordinary mental strength, he survived this hell. 

"Ofer endured months in a nightmare, and we are proud of his ability to survive and hold onto the hope of embracing his children again."

The family said a "challenging rehabilitation period" is to come, and expressed their "deepest gratitude to everyone who stood by us".

-SKY NEWS