JERUSALEM. Israel is bracing for a mix of relief and anxiety as three high-profile hostages, including the father of the youngest captives held in Gaza, are expected to be released on Saturday. The anticipated release of Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel, and Ofer Kalderon follows weeks of negotiations under a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The names of the three men have become widely recognized in Israel since their abduction on October 7, 2023, as part of Hamas’ deadly assault on southern Israel, which left approximately 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians. The ensuing Israeli air and ground offensive has led to more than 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The announcement of Yarden Bibas’ expected release has cast a shadow over the fate of his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons, Kfir and Ariel. Hamas has claimed that the three were killed in an Israeli airstrike, a claim Israel has not confirmed, though military spokesperson Daniel Hagari recently stated that the army remains “extremely concerned” about their welfare.
Bibas, 35, was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and images from the attack show him appearing to be injured. His wife and children were taken separately, with harrowing footage showing Shiri clutching her two red-haired boys as armed militants led them away. Kfir, who was only nine months old at the time, became a symbol of the helplessness surrounding the hostage crisis.
Keith Siegel, 65, a dual Israeli-American citizen, was kidnapped alongside his wife, Aviva Siegel, from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Aviva was released in a previous ceasefire deal in November 2023 and has since been actively advocating for her husband’s freedom globally.
During her 51 days in captivity, Aviva Siegel remained with her husband, enduring dire conditions with little food or water while being transferred between tunnels. Her last words to him before their separation were, “Be strong for me.” Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Keith Siegel worked as an occupational therapist and is known for his deep love of family and grandchildren.
Ofer Kalderon, 54, a dual French-Israeli citizen, was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his children, Sahar and Erez, and his ex-wife, Hadas. The children and their mother were released in a previous hostage exchange, but Kalderon has remained in captivity.
Described as an avid cyclist and model-plane enthusiast, Kalderon’s prolonged absence has taken a heavy toll on his children. Hadas Kalderon has spoken openly about their struggles, saying they continue to fear for their father’s safety.
While news of the men’s expected release has brought relief to their families, it has also intensified calls for the return of all hostages still held in Gaza. On Friday, activists dressed in white and carrying white umbrellas staged a silent protest outside the U.S. Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv, symbolizing those still in captivity. Yellow chairs were arranged to represent the missing hostages.
A group representing hostage families hailed the upcoming release as “joyous” but emphasized that Israel has a “sacred duty and moral right” to bring all captives home, dead or alive.
“Thank God,” Sahar Kalderon, Ofer’s daughter, posted on Instagram. “What a perfect morning.”
In a video shared by her daughter, Aviva Siegel was seen crying with joy upon hearing the news. “Dad is coming!” she exclaimed. “Dad is on the list!”
The upcoming release will mark the fourth since a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect this month. As part of the agreement, 33 Israeli hostages are being freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Despite the progress, tensions remain high, with both sides expressing skepticism over the ceasefire’s durability.
As Israel waits for the next phase of releases, the fate of many other hostages remains unknown. With around 80 captives still in Gaza, Israeli officials estimate that at least a third of them may no longer be alive.
The coming days will reveal whether the fragile truce can hold and whether more families will finally receive the long-awaited news that their loved ones are coming home.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
