After 484 Days of Captivity, Franco-Israeli Ofer Kalderon and Two Other Hostages Freed by Hamas

On Saturday, February 1st, Ofer Kalderon, a Franco-Israeli who had been held captive for 484 days by Hamas in Gaza, was released along with two other hostages as part of a swap for Palestinian prisoners. The emotional reunion with his family, including his two children who had also been taken hostage, marked the end of a long and painful ordeal for the Kalderon family.

The release occurred in the context of the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Ofer Kalderon, after being freed in Gaza, was transported by helicopter to an Israeli hospital for medical check-ups. His return to Israel was met with great joy and relief by his family and the public, as they had followed his release live on television, with mixed emotions of happiness and anxiety.

A Triumphant Yet Somber Day of Releases

Kalderon’s release was part of the fourth exchange of hostages since the ceasefire began. Alongside him, Israeli Yarden Bibas, who had been kidnapped with his family on October 7, 2023, was also freed. Bibas had been taken hostage with his wife and two young children, whose fate remains uncertain, adding to the grief felt by their loved ones. Additionally, American-Israeli Keith Siegel was released on the same day.

The swap, which involved the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages, took place with minimal public presence and was carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross. As Israel and Hamas continue negotiations, the fate of other hostages, including Franco-Israeli Ohad Yahalomi, remains uncertain.

A Fragile Peace and Continued Concerns

Despite the joy over the hostages’ release, the anxiety surrounding the Bibas family, especially regarding the well-being of Yarden’s wife Shiri and their two children, remains palpable. Their family members are still missing in Gaza, and the situation continues to weigh heavily on those left behind. Israel’s foreign ministry has urged Hamas to clarify their fate.

With 33 hostages expected to be returned over the course of the truce and more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners set to be released in return, the situation remains complex. Both countries are navigating the difficult path of ceasefire negotiations, with the world watching the fragile peace unfold.