01.02.2025 14:21
Hamas delivered two of the three Israeli captives in Gaza to the Red Cross in the fourth round of the prisoner exchange. Subsequently, dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel was also handed over to the International Red Cross team at the Gaza Port. Following these developments, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners. The release of the Palestinians was met with joy in the West Bank.
The fourth round of the prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel has taken place.
Israeli civilian prisoners Ofer Calderon and Yarden Bibas from Gaza were handed over to the International Red Cross team in Khan Younis. The Israeli army confirmed in a statement that the vehicles carrying the Israeli civilian prisoners Bibas and Calderon were on their way to the country, having been received by Red Cross officials. Later, Keith Siegel, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel, was handed over to the International Red Cross team at the Gaza Port in the city of Gaza.
ISRAEL ALSO RELEASED PALESTINIANS
Following Hamas, Israel also released 183 Palestinian prisoners. As the Red Cross convoy left Ofer Military Prison located in the occupied West Bank and reached the city of Ramallah, the released prisoners were warmly welcomed by Palestinians.
CELEBRATION HELD
Palestinians gathered in the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank to welcome the prisoners released in the fourth round of the prisoner exchange.
The Red Cross convoy passed through the town of Beitunya, arriving in Ramallah amid applause and celebrations from the Palestinians.
183 PALESTINIANS RELEASED FOR 3 ISRAELIS
In exchange for the release of 3 Israeli civilian male prisoners, one of whom is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel, Hamas released 183 Palestinian prisoners.
IMPRISONED SINCE 2023
Of the 183 Palestinian prisoners, 18 are serving life sentences, 54 have been sentenced to heavy prison terms, and 111 were detained after October 7, 2023, from the Gaza Strip.
STATEMENT ON THE HEALTH STATUS OF RELEASED PALESTINIANS
A written statement from Hamas indicated that the good condition of the Israeli prisoners released in Gaza proves Hamas's values. The statement said, "The good physical and psychological condition of the enemy prisoners proves our values of resistance and our moral commitment to the prisoners. Meanwhile, the brutal occupiers (Israel) commit the most heinous violations against our prisoners in jails," it stated.
THE EXCHANGE PROCESS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS
In the first exchange that took place on January 19, when the ceasefire came into effect, 90 Palestinians in Israeli prisons and 3 Israeli prisoners in Gaza were released. In the second exchange on January 25, 4 prisoners were released in Gaza, while 200 Palestinians were released in Israel. In the third exchange on January 30, Hamas released 8 prisoners, and Israel released 110 Palestinians.