• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

Hamas to release 3 more hostages, including US citizen, as part of fragile ceasefire deal

by February 1, 2025
written by February 1, 2025

Terror group Hamas has released two more hostages, with a third, an American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel, expected to be freed later Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. 

Hamas handed over Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas to the Red Cross, and both were expected to be given over to IDF soldiers. 

Siegel, 65, was raised in North Carolina and immigrated to Israel as a young man, becoming a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen. He and his wife, Aviva, settled in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. He had been held in Gaza since October 7, 2023, when both were kidnapped from their home during the Hamas massacre. 

Aviva Siegel, who was freed in the last hostage deal in November, previously told Fox News about her fears for his deteriorating health, emphasizing that the fight is not over until all hostages return. Alongside Siegel, French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas were also freed. Bibas’ wife and two young children remain in captivity.

Siegel would be the first American freed under the current ceasefire deal. So far, 10 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals abducted on October 7 have also been released. Six Americans remain in Gaza. Among them, Sagui Dekel-Chen, a 36-year-old father of three, is expected to be freed soon. Another captive, Edan Alexander, 21, from New Jersey, was serving in the IDF when taken. Hamas also holds the bodies of deceased hostages.

Securing the release of U.S. citizens and other hostages remains a top priority for President Donald Trump, who warned Hamas would face ‘all hell to pay’ if they failed to comply. White House envoy Steve Witkoff, closely monitoring the situation, recently became the first U.S. official to visit Gaza in 15 years. ‘There is almost nothing left of Gaza,’ Witkoff told Axios, estimating that full reconstruction could take 10 to 15 years. He stressed that advancing the hostage deal is key to stabilizing the region and broader diplomatic efforts, including Saudi-Israeli normalization talks.

For the families of those still in captivity, the struggle is far from over. Yechi Yehoud, father of released hostage Arbel Yehoud who was released on Thursday, delivered an emotional statement upon his daughter’s return. 

‘Arbel has come back to us in reasonable health, considering the hell she endured. She survived heroically until the very end, displaying immeasurable courage. We are here also to express our gratitude to President Trump, and his Middle East Special Envoy Mr. Steve Witkoff, who knew how to speak ‘Trump language’ in the Middle East and leverage full diplomatic pressure for the hostages’ return… We won’t rest until we know they’re back with us, alive!’

The ceasefire, which has temporarily halted a brutal 15-month war, is unfolding in phases. Each stage involves the staggered release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, the process has faced setbacks, including horrific scenes this week when Hamas paraded hostages before an angry mob, endangering their safety. The chaotic handover to the Red Cross sparked outrage in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefly halted the reciprocal release of Palestinian prisoners, warning Hamas against further disruptions.

The current plan includes additional hostage releases in the coming weeks, with 33 captives expected to be freed over six weeks. In return, Israel will release 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners, including 250-300 convicted of deadly attacks, and allow increased humanitarian aid into Gaza. Whether Hamas will fully comply remains uncertain, putting the fragile truce at risk.

Amid high-stakes ceasefire negotiations, Netanyahu has accepted an invitation from President Trump to visit Washington on February 4, making him the first foreign leader to meet Trump in his second term. The visit will focus on the hostage deal, ceasefire discussions, and broader security concerns, including Iran and Gaza’s reconstruction.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Trump envoy Richard Grenell secures freedom for 6 Americans following meeting with Maduro in Venezuela
next post
‘Important opportunity’: DNC chair candidates reveal how they will rebound after disastrous 2024 results

related articles

Democrats project doom and gloom, not celebration, with...

July 5, 2025

Xi Jinping’s surprise no-show at BRICS Summit fuels...

July 5, 2025

Iran regime escalates repression toward ‘North Korea-style model...

July 4, 2025

This July 4th, a family waits: American hostage’s...

July 4, 2025

President Trump to honor Iran strike flight team...

July 4, 2025

North Korea lashes out after Trump DOJ exposes...

July 4, 2025

Saudi defense minister secretly meets with Trump to...

July 4, 2025

Trump administration swarms SCOTUS with emergency requests and...

July 4, 2025

Trump administration torpedoes SCOTUS with emergency requests and...

July 3, 2025

Mike Johnson touts ‘beauty of unified government’ after...

July 3, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • Dominican judge rules in Iowa witness’ favor in missing American student case

    March 19, 2025
  • Trump-backed bill to avert government shutdown passes House despite mutiny threats

    March 11, 2025
  • Justice Department looking to wind down Trump criminal cases ahead of inauguration

    November 6, 2024
  • First round of US-made F-16s land in Ukraine as war with Russia rages on

    August 1, 2024
  • Weiss Report: Hunter’s drug use can’t explain away not paying taxes on money earned by ‘last name’

    January 14, 2025

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 3

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (5,251)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (832)

Latest Posts

  • Dogecoin and Shiba Inu: Shiba rises to two-week high

    August 22, 2024
  • Most Americans reject push by Biden, Dems to change Supreme Court: poll

    August 21, 2024
  • State Dept says DOGE’s changes will be permanent amid Musk’s departure

    May 30, 2025

Recent Posts

  • Iran trying to sabotage Trump’s presidential campaign: US intelligence

    July 29, 2024
  • Quantum Computing: its Evolution and its Potential Future

    March 20, 2025
  • YouTube will stream NFL Week 1 game in Brazil for free

    May 15, 2025

Editor’s Pick

  • Trump urged to look into US funding of Lebanese army amid accusations of its ties to Hezbollah

    February 3, 2025
  • Fact-checking firm staffed by CNN alums takes Meta axing hard: ‘Surprised and disappointed’

    January 8, 2025
  • Oil and natural gas: oil retreated to an annual low

    September 6, 2024
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock