The Israeli military said on Saturday three hostages freed by Hamas were now in the custody of its forces in the Gaza Strip, including French-Israeli national Ofer Kalderon.
"The returning hostages have just been transferred to IDF (military) and ISA (internal security) forces in the Gaza Strip," the military said, referring to Israeli Yarden Bibas and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon who were freed by the Palestinian militants in the southern city of Khan Yunis. The Israeli American Keith Siegel was also released.
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a reaction that he shares 'joy' of Kalderon's release after 'unimaginable hell.'
Kalderon, 54, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the 7 October attacks along with his children Erez, 12, and Sahar, 16, who were released in November 2023.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed receiving a list of three male hostages to be released Saturday but did not publicly disclose names.
"All hostage families have been informed by military liaison officers," the office said.
However Hamas named Kalderon, American-Israeli Keith Siegel and Israeli Yarden Bibas as the three to be released, according to the group's military wing spokesman on Telegram.
Family reacts
The Kalderon family said in a statement: "It's an immense joy mixed with paralysing fear. We are waiting impatiently to finally reunite with Ofer. Until he is in our arms, we won't dare to believe it."
Kalderon's ex-wife Hadas escaped the October attack by hiding in a shelter with their older children.
"When I first heard about the agreement, I couldn't believe it. Even if it's not perfect, it must be accepted – otherwise, we risk bringing back fewer hostages," she told French daily Le Parisien.
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The release leaves just one French-Israeli, Ohad Yahalomi, in Hamas captivity.
Yahalomi, 50, was also taken from Nir Oz alongside his 12-year-old son Eitan, who was freed in November.
The hostage-prisoner exchanges continue under the ceasefire agreement brokered between Israel and Hamas. On Thursday, Hamas released eight hostages in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
While the truce remains in place, tensions persist – with the sight of armed militants escorting hostages through cheering crowds raising objections among Israeli officials.
