Sat Feb 01 07:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Two Israeli Hostages Returned in Gaza Ceasefire Deal

**KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) —** Two Israeli hostages, Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon, were released by Hamas and returned to Israel on Saturday, marking another step in the implementation of the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The handover, overseen by the Red Cross in Khan Younis, saw the hostages transferred in an orderly ceremony, a contrast to a chaotic previous exchange. Their release is part of a deal to exchange 33 Israeli hostages for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners over the ceasefire’s initial six weeks. Another American-Israeli hostage, Keith Siegel, is expected to be released later Saturday.

The ceasefire, reached on January 19th, is aimed at ending the devastating war between Israel and Hamas that began in October 2023. While the truce has held for nearly two weeks, allowing humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and displaced Palestinians to return to their homes, tensions remain high. Israel has acknowledged serious concerns about the fate of Bibas’ wife and children, who remain unaccounted for, while Hamas claims they were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The release of Kalderon prompted joyous celebrations from his family.

Simultaneously, wounded Palestinians are to be allowed to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, marking another key element of the ceasefire’s first phase. A European Union mission is assisting in the reopening of the crossing. The Health Ministry in Gaza announced plans to evacuate 50 sick and wounded children and 61 companions.

Despite the progress, significant challenges remain. Israel says Hamas has confirmed the deaths of eight of the 33 hostages to be released. Negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire, involving the release of remaining hostages and a longer-term truce, are scheduled for next week. Failure to reach an agreement could see the resumption of hostilities as early as March. While Israel maintains its commitment to destroying Hamas, a key member of Netanyahu’s coalition is already calling for the war’s resumption. Hamas insists on the release of all remaining hostages before ending the conflict and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

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