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Hamas announced on Friday plans to release three hostages in the next prisoner exchange, including Yarden Bibas, father of the two youngest captives taken during the October 7 assault on Israel, alongside Keith Siegel, a dual US citizen, and Ofer Kalderon.

The announcement came through Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, via Telegram. Among those to be freed is Yarden Bibas, whose children – nine-month-old Kfir and four-year-old Ariel – were among those captured during the cross-border raid.

Keith Siegel, who holds both Israeli and American citizenship, appeared in Hamas footage released previously. His wife Aviva, who was also taken captive, returned home during November’s initial hostage exchange.

The fate of Yarden’s wife Shiri and their two young children remains uncertain. Hamas claimed in late 2023 that Israeli airstrikes had resulted in their deaths during the early stages of the conflict in Gaza.

Footage that emerged shortly after their capture showed a frightened Shiri holding her children wrapped in a blanket as militants forced them into captivity. Additional video footage revealed Yarden, then 34, being taken away while bleeding from head wounds inflicted by hammer strikes.

The third hostage set for release, Ofer Kalderon, will reunite with his children Erez and Sahar, who were freed during the first exchange operation.

The announcement follows Thursday’s exchange where Hamas released three Israeli and five Thai captives, while Israel freed 110 Palestinian prisoners. The process faced delays due to crowds gathering at one of the transfer locations.

The current cease-fire agreement, which suspended over 15 months of conflict, stipulates the release of 33 hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza during the first six weeks, in exchange for the liberation of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences in Israeli facilities.