Fourth Swap Under Ceasefire Deal

Hamas militants released three hostages on Saturday after holding them for over a year in Gaza. In return, Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners as part of the fourth exchange under a ceasefire agreement that has temporarily paused 15 months of intense conflict.

The released hostages—Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon (a French-Israeli citizen), and Keith Siegel (an American-Israeli citizen)—were handed over to the Red Cross in separate locations. Bibas and Kalderon were freed in Khan Younis, while Siegel, who appeared pale and thin, was released in Gaza City.

All three were taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which ignited the war. Their release brings the total number of freed hostages to 18 since the ceasefire began on January 19, 2025.

Unlike previous exchanges that saw chaotic scenes, Saturday’s handover was orderly, with masked and armed militants standing in formation as the hostages walked onto a stage before being escorted to the Red Cross.

Celebrations in Israel and the West Bank

Thousands gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, cheering and waving signs as they watched the live broadcast of the releases.

In the West Bank, crowds of well-wishers celebrated the release of Palestinian prisoners. A bus carrying 32 detainees departed Ofer Military Prison, heading for the West Bank, where it was met with cheering supporters.

According to the Israeli Prison Authority, all 183 Palestinian prisoners slated for release on Saturday have been freed. Of these:

• 111 were arrested after Hamas’ October 7 attack and returned to Gaza.
• Just over two dozen were sent to the West Bank.
• Seven prisoners serving life sentences were transferred to Egypt for deportation.

Ceasefire Brings Temporary Relief to Gaza

The truce, aimed at de-escalating the deadliest war between Israel and Hamas, has lasted two weeks so far. It has allowed humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and for thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to what remains of their homes in the north.

Under the agreement’s six-week first phase, Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel has received intelligence suggesting that eight of these hostages are dead, either from the October 7 attack or during captivity.

Humanitarian Efforts Continue

• On Saturday, 50 sick and wounded Palestinian children were allowed to leave Gaza for treatment via the Rafah border crossing—the first opening of Gaza’s only exit since Israel seized control nine months ago.
• A European Union civilian mission has been deployed to prepare for Rafah’s reopening.

Uncertain Future: Next Phase of Ceasefire Talks

Israel and Hamas are set to begin negotiations next week for a second phase of the ceasefire. This phase would involve the release of all remaining hostages and an extension of the truce.

However, if no agreement is reached, the war could resume in early March. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated Israel’s commitment to destroying Hamas, even as the group reasserts control over Gaza.

Meanwhile, Hamas insists it will not release any more hostages unless Israel fully withdraws from Gaza and ends the war.

Emotional Reunions for Released Hostages

• Keith Siegel, 65, an American-Israeli from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza with his wife, Aviva Siegel. She was freed during a brief 2023 ceasefire and had been campaigning for his release.
  • Family and friends watching his release cheered and wept as they saw Siegel stepping onto the stage.
• Yarden Bibas, 35, was taken along with his wife Shiri and their young sons, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months old), from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
  • Kfir, the youngest of about 250 hostages, became a symbol of the crisis.
  • Hamas claims Shiri and the boys were killed in an Israeli airstrike, but Israel has not confirmed this. Gal Hirsch, Netanyahu’s special hostage negotiator, said Israel has “grave concerns” for their safety and urged Hamas to provide information.
• Ofer Kalderon, 54, was also taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz. His children, Erez and Sahar, were freed in November 2023.
  • In Kfar Saba, his family cheered, hugged, and raised their arms in joy upon seeing him walk free.
  • “Ofer is coming home!” they exclaimed.

International Reaction

• French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Kalderon’s release, describing his 483 days in captivity as “unimaginable hell.”
• Macron vowed to continue efforts to secure the release of another French-Israeli hostage still held in Gaza.

Hostages and Death Toll

• Over 100 hostages were freed during the November 2023 ceasefire.
• Around 80 remain in Gaza, with at least one-third believed to be dead.
• The October 7 attack left 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians.
• Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and militants.
• The Israeli military claims it has killed more than 17,000 Hamas fighters, but has not provided evidence.

Looking Ahead

With the ceasefire’s first phase nearing completion, the upcoming second phase talks will determine the fate of the remaining hostages and the future of the truce. The coming weeks will be critical in deciding whether the war will end or resume.

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Russian and Syrian jets are targeting rebel forces who have reportedly captured significant areas in and around Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city. Opposition fighters launched a surprise offensive in recent days, pushing into the heart of the city and disrupting major infrastructure.

Rebel Advances and Syrian Military Response

Opposition groups, including the Islamist militant faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, claim to control nearly half of Aleppo, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). In response, Syria’s military announced a “temporary troop withdrawal” to regroup for a counteroffensive against what it calls “terrorist” forces.

The rebels’ success has led to the closure of Aleppo airport and several key roads. Fierce battles in Aleppo and the neighboring Idlib region have reportedly resulted in dozens of Syrian soldiers being killed.

Russian Support and Escalation of Airstrikes

Russia, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has vowed to provide additional military aid to help Damascus repel the rebels. Syrian forces were reportedly instructed to conduct “safe withdrawals” from areas now under rebel control, according to military sources cited by Reuters.

The intensified conflict in northwestern Syria has also exacted a civilian toll. A United Nations official reported that airstrikes over the past three days killed 27 civilians, including eight children.

Rebel Justification and Turkey’s Role

Opposition fighters stated their campaign is a response to an escalation of airstrikes by Russian and Syrian forces on civilian areas in rebel-held Idlib. Turkey, which supports the rebels, has reportedly given tacit approval for their operations, according to opposition sources in contact with Turkish intelligence.

However, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli expressed concerns over the potential for increased instability. He also emphasized that recent attacks jeopardize existing de-escalation agreements.

Videos Reveal the Battlefield

Insurgents have shared videos online showing the use of drones in their advance, marking a notable development in their tactics. While the extent of drone involvement is unclear, geolocated footage shows armored vehicles near Aleppo’s outskirts and rebels celebrating at the city’s western entrance.

One video captures more than ten men, some armed, running through Aleppo’s streets. These visuals underscore the intensity of the ongoing urban battles.

Historical Context and Government Silence

This marks the rebels’ first return to Aleppo since 2016, when Assad’s forces, with backing from Russia, Iran, and allied militias, recaptured the city. The Syrian government has yet to comment on the rebels’ recent breach of Aleppo’s limits.

The situation remains fluid as both sides prepare for further confrontations, with civilians once again caught in the crossfire of escalating violence.

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Top picture credit: AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed

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