In a significant development, Hamas has released two Israeli hostages, Yarden Bibas (35) and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon (54), to the Red Cross in southern Gaza. The pair were abducted during the surprise Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This release marks an important step in the ongoing prisoner exchange agreement, part of a fragile ceasefire deal aimed at de-escalating the conflict. The truce has held for nearly two weeks, allowing for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and facilitating further exchanges between Israel and Hamas.
