Hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas & Ofer Calderon are free

Three Israeli men held captive by Hamas since October 7, 2023, have been released after nearly 16 months in captivity, marking another milestone in the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and the militant group.

Yarden Bibas, 35, Ofer Calderon, 54, and Keith Siegel, 65, were freed Saturday morning in two separate locations in Gaza. Calderon and Bibas were released in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, while Siegel, who holds dual US-Israeli citizenship, was handed over at Gaza City's port.

The releases occurred under more controlled circumstances than Thursday's chaotic handover, with Hamas setting up formal stages for the transfers. Each man was handed to Red Cross representatives, who facilitated their return to Israeli territory.

For Yarden Bibas, the release brings mixed emotions as grave concerns persist about his wife Shiri and their two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, who were also kidnapped on October 7. Hamas has claimed they were killed in captivity, though Israel has not confirmed this. The family became a symbol of the October 7 attack after footage emerged showing Shiri clutching her children while surrounded by militants.

"Now the time has come to continue until we see Shiri and the boys at home," Bibas's cousin Oriah told Israeli media following his release.

Ofer Calderon's freedom marked an emotional reunion with his children, Erez and Sahar, who were released in a previous exchange. The family gathered at Sheba Medical Center for their long-awaited meeting. French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the release of Calderon, who holds French citizenship, calling it the end of an "unimaginable hell."

For Keith Siegel, the homecoming reunites him with his wife Aviva, who was freed in November 2023 after they were both taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Since her release, Aviva has become a prominent advocate for the hostages' freedom. "Nobody is happier than me," she said before her husband's release.

The three men are among 13 Israeli hostages freed under the current deal, which aims to release 33 captives in its first 42-day phase. In exchange, Israel will release approximately 1,904 Palestinian prisoners, including over 100 serving life sentences.

The Times of Israel contributed to this article.