The terrorist group Hamas issued another hostage, with a third, an American -Israeli citizen Keith Siegel, who is expected to be released later on Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Hamas was handed over Oreer Calderon and Yardin Pipas to the Red Cross, and both were expected to be given to the Israeli Defense Army soldiers.
Siegel, 65, grew up in North Carolina and immigrated to Israel as a young man, to become a dual citizen of the United States of Israel. He and his wife Aviva settled in Kibbutz Kafr Aza. It has been reservations in Gaza since then October 72023, when both were kidnapped from their home during the Hamas massacre.
Aviva Siegel, which was released in the last hostage deal in November, I told Fox News previously About her concerns about the deterioration of his health, while emphasizing that the battle did not end until all the hostages returned. Along with Segel, the French -Israeli -Israeli and Yardin Pepas was released. Pepas's wife and two young children remain in captivity.
Siegel will be the first American liberated under the current ceasefire deal. So far, 10 Israeli hostages and five Thai citizens have been released on October 7. Six Americans remain In Gaza. Among them, Sagoy Dickel Chen, a 36 -year -old father, will be released soon. Another prisoner, Adan Alexander, 21, from New Jersey, was working in the Israeli Defense Army when captured. Hamas also carries the bodies of the deceased hostages.
Hamas has appointed Yarden Pepas, Keith Siegel and Offer Kalderon as the next three hostages to be released. (Hatches and Families Forum)
Securing the release of American citizens and other hostages remains a top priority for President Donald Trump, who warned that Hamas would face “All hell to pay” If they fail to comply. White House envoy Steve Whitchov, who is closely monitoring the situation, has become the first American official to visit Gaza for 15 years. “Nothing left from Gaza,” Wittakov told Axios. He stressed that the advancement of the hostage deal is the key to stabilizing the region and the broader diplomatic efforts, including Saudi -Israeli normalization talks.
For families Among those who are still in captivity, the conflict has not ended. Yishi Jews, father Sadr hostage to Erbl Jews Which was released on Thursday, delivered an emotional statement when his daughter returned.
“Erbil has returned to us with reasonable health, taking into account the hell she endured. I survived heroic to the end, with an unprecedented courage. We are also here to express Witkoff, who knew how to speak Trump in the Middle East and benefits from full diplomatic pressure To return to the hostages … we will not rest until we know that they are alive with us! “
The scenes of the chaos in Khan Yunis were forced, as they were forced by Jadi Moussa and Erbil Jews on foot through Palestinian mobs to wait for the Red Cross vehicles on January 30, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/Tps)
The ceasefire, who temporarily stopped a brutal war for 15 months, is revealed in stages. Each stage of the deteriorating release of Israeli hostages includes in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increasing humanitarian aid in Gaza. However, the operation faced relapse, including horrific scenes this week when Hamas has fought against angry mobs, endangering their safety. The delivery of chaos to the Red Cross has angered in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu It briefly stopped the mutual release of Palestinian prisoners, Hamas warned of further turmoil.
The current plan includes additional hostages in the coming weeks, where 33 prisoners are expected to be released over six weeks. On the other hand, Israel will launch 2000 Palestinian prisoners of security, including 250-300 convicted of deadly attacks, and allows for the increase in humanitarian aid in Gaza. Whether Hamas will remain completely unconfirmed, putting a fragile truce at risk.
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Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with the envoy of US President -elect Donald Trump to the Middle East, Steve Witkeov. (Photo by the Prime Minister's media advisor)
In the midst of high risks, the shooting negotiations, Netanyahu, accepted an invitation from President Trump to visit Washington on February 4, making him the first foreign leader to meet Trump in his second term. The visit will focus on the hostage deal, stop the shooting discussions, and the broader security concerns, including the rebuilding of Iran and Gaza.
