Israel releases 183 Palestinian prisoners from jail after Hamas releases three Israeli hostages

Freed Palestinian prisoners celebrated after being released as part of a prisoners exchange | Photo: Reuters

Israel has released 183 Palestinian prisoners from its jails as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office confirmed the release, which follows Hamas’ decision to free three Israeli hostages.

Among the released prisoners, 18 were serving life sentences, while 54 had been sentenced to long-term imprisonment. The remaining 111 detainees were arrested after the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023. 

Initially, Israel planned to release 90 prisoners, but the number was later increased.

The prisoner exchange is part of an ongoing ceasefire that took effect on January 19, 2025, following more than 15 months of conflict. Hamas, which has been holding several Israeli hostages, released three men on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian detainees.

Hamas releases three Israeli hostages | Photo: BBC

According to Hamas and Israeli authorities, the released hostages are; Yarden Bibas (35), Keith Samuel Siegel (65), a U.S.-Israeli dual citizen, Ofer Kalderon (54), a French-Israeli national

They were among those kidnapped during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The attack prompted Israel to launch a military campaign in Gaza, leading to significant casualties and destruction. 

This marks the fourth prisoner exchange since the ceasefire began, with a total of 15 hostages and several hundred Palestinians released so far. Alongside the prisoner swap, injured Palestinians in Gaza may be granted permission to leave for medical treatment in Egypt via the Rafah crossing, which had been closed since May 2024. The European Union has deployed a civilian mission to help reopen the crossing.

The ceasefire agreement includes other key conditions such as:

• The release of 33 more hostages and around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners
• Allowing displaced Palestinians to return home
• Increasing humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza

The news of Yarden Bibas’ release has reignited concerns over the fate of his wife, Shiri Bibas, and their two young children. Hamas claims they were killed in an Israeli airstrike, but Israel has not officially confirmed this. 

An Israeli military spokesperson recently acknowledged serious concerns about their well-being.