Emotional moment Israeli hostage is back in mother's arms after 15 months of captivity

Yarden Bibas was 1 of 3 Israeli hostages freed by Hamas contiguous but his woman Shiri and sons Ariel, five, and Kfir, two, were not by his broadside – their captors assertion they were killed successful an Israeli airstrike

It mightiness person been a quiescent clasp but it was a infinitesimal that spoke loudly of 1 family’s large suffering.

Yarden Bibas, 1 of 3 Israeli hostages freed by Hamas contiguous aft 15 months’ captivity, was backmost successful his mother’s arms. Yet the 35-year-old’s woman Shiri and sons Ariel, five, and Kfir, two, were not by his broadside – their captors assertion they were killed successful an Israeli airstrike. In an affectional statement, the Bibas household told however "a 4th of our bosom has returned to us".

American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65, and French-Israeli national Ofer Kalderon, 54, were besides released successful the confederate Gaza portion today. The trio were among astir 250 taken hostage successful Hamas’ October 7 massacre. Meanwhile, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners successful the latest circular of exchanges aft a ceasefire woody betwixt Israel and Hamas.

A delighted Aviva Siegel was filmed leaving to beryllium reunited with her hubby Keith. She was herself a hostage earlier being freed successful November 2023 and has since campaigned astir the world for her husband’s release. And successful joyous scenes, Ofer was filmed being reunited with his delighted family. His ex-wife Hadas and 2 kids were besides kidnapped – they were freed successful November successful 2023.

In the occupied West Bank, frenzied crowds thronged the Red Cross autobus carrying the Palestinians from Israel's Ofer situation adjacent Ramallah. Supporters lifted the 25 freed prisoners into the air, crying, "God is greater!" and "Victory to God!" Women wept arsenic they pulled their agelong absent husbands into hugs.

Others arrived successful a convoy to the European Hospital successful Khan Younis successful Gaza, wherever scores of relatives, friends waited. The ex-prisoners stuck their heads retired dusty autobus windows, waving excitedly to acquainted faces successful the crowds. Some grasped the outstretched hands of their loved ones who were hoisted onto shoulders of onlookers

The truce, which began connected January 19, is aimed astatine winding down the warfare – with the fragile woody holding for astir a fortnight, halting the warring and allowing accrued assistance to flow. A full of 33 Israeli hostages are expected to beryllium freed successful speech for astir 2,000 Palestinian prisoners during the truce's archetypal six weeks.

In a statement, the Bibas household reportedly said: “Yarden is home. A 4th of our bosom has returned to america aft 15 agelong months. There are nary words to picture the alleviation of holding Yarden successful our hands, embracing him, and proceeding his voice. Yarden has returned home, but the location remains incomplete."

“Yarden is simply a begetter who near his harmless country to support his family, bravely survived captivity, and returned to an unbearable reality,” it added.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the merchandise of Ofer, portion noting that different of the country’s citizens remains a hostage. "Ofer Kalderon is free! We stock the immense alleviation and joyousness of his household aft 483 days of unimaginable hell," helium posted connected X. "Our thoughts are with Ohad Yahalomi, inactive successful the hands of Hamas, and his family. France is doing everything successful its powerfulness to unafraid his contiguous release."

Also connected Saturday, wounded Palestinians are expected to beryllium allowed to permission Gaza for Egypt done the Rafah crossing. The warfare successful Gaza was sparked by Hamas’ October 7 2023 attack, which killed astir 1,200 people. Over 47,000 Palestinians person been killed, according to Gaza’s wellness ministry.