Gaza City, November 25 — On Saturday, Hamas released three Israeli hostages as part of the ongoing prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement. In return, Israel freed several Palestinian detainees and allowed 50 wounded and sick Palestinians to leave Gaza for medical treatment abroad.
The handover of hostages took place in two locations: Khan Younis in southern Gaza and Gaza City in the north. Hamas’ armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, transferred 65-year-old Keith Segal, an Israeli-American citizen, to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Segal, dressed in dark clothing and carrying envelopes for his family, waved to onlookers before being escorted back to Israel. Earlier, Al-Qassam fighters led Ofer Calderon, an Israeli-French citizen, and Yarden Bibas to a platform amidst the ruins of a destroyed building. They were then handed over individually to ICRC representatives.
The exchange was tightly managed, with armed Hamas militants securing the area to prevent large crowds from gathering, unlike previous releases.
Second Phase of Negotiations to Begin
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to begin negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. He is scheduled to meet with U.S. officials in Washington, D.C., to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza and the remaining Israeli hostages.
During these meetings, Netanyahu will outline Israel’s positions regarding the ceasefire. U.S. mediators will also engage with officials from Egypt and Qatar, who have been facilitating talks between Israel and Hamas.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Civil Defense reported on Saturday that they had recovered 64 bodies from the rubble in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the dire humanitarian conditions in the enclave. In a statement, the Civil Defense warned that residents are facing an extremely dire crisis, with tens of thousands left homeless without shelter or basic necessities.
The region is expecting severe weather, posing additional threats to those living in tents or damaged buildings. Unexploded ordnance and remnants of military operations remain scattered throughout Gaza, endangering civilians. The Civil Defense has called on the international community and human rights organizations to take immediate action to save lives.
Medical Evacuations Begin
For the first time in months, 50 wounded Palestinians and patients were allowed to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing for treatment in Egypt under the supervision of the World Health Organization (WHO). Egypt announced the reopening of the Rafah crossing, providing a crucial route for medical and humanitarian aid.
