American-Israeli hostage agent Keith Segal has been liberated as part of the constant ceasefires between Israel and Hamas.
Segal, 65, looked, but determined, was transferred on Saturday morning to the Red Cross officials in Gaza City, which marked an important milestone in the Armical Negotiations.
Israelis in Tel Aviv cheered and throw tears while Seigel was handed over to the Red Cross.
His release follows that of Yarden Bibas and Frans-Israelians Kalderon earlier in the city of Khan Younis in comparable scenes in the city of Khan Younis and comes in the midst of the growing international pressure to secure the remaining hostages and a permanent peace agreement solidify.
Segal, originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the Hamas -led attack on Israel from Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
His wife, Aviva, was released during a short cease -the Fires in 2023, but his long -term imprisonment left his family and supporters in painful uncertainty.
While Kibbutz met members to witness his release, there were both tears of joy and persistent grief for those who were still being imprisoned.
“You can see that he has lost a lot of weight, but he walks and talks, and you can still see the Keith we know,” said Segal's niece, Tal Wax. “One of the first things he told us is that he is still vegan.”
The Stakes -the -furen Agreement, which has facilitated several stock markets of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, is now a critical second phase.
Keith Siegel, who was seized during the fatal attack of 7 October 2023 by Hamas, which was seized, embraces the American center in Tel Aviv, Israe
Hamas Terrorists Escort American-Israëli Gijzelaar Keith Siegel on a stage before handing him to a Red Cross team in Gaza City on Saturday as part of the fourth hostage prison exchange
Keith Siegel appeared in a video message from Hamas in April
There were sighs of relief and cheers in a living room where members of the Kibbutz watched the release of Siegel. Many of those in the room were family friends, who applauded his face while some tore.
Siegel is one of the best-profile hostages, now a household name in Israel after his wife Aviva Siegel, also captured in the Hamas attack, has set up a public campaign to bring him home after her own release of imprisonment in November 2023.
Speaking after his release, his wife Aviva said: 'The great day has arrived. Yes! I am happy. I am happy. There is no one happier than me. I'm done with everything and I'm going to meet him! '
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet the US President Donald Trump in the White House next week to discuss the future of the ceasefire and the fate of remaining prisoners.
Although the progress has been made, fragile peace remains in danger, with the possibility of renewed conflict if further negotiations fail.
On the Palestinian side, more than two dozen prisoners were released from the military prison and transported to the West Bank, where they were met with jubilant parties.
Many former prisoners were visibly weakened, their families welcomed them in tears at home.
“Certainly, it is an indescribable feeling, both sad and joyful, while we still leave so much in captivity,” said Mohammad Kaskus, a recently released prisoner.
US-Israeli Double National Keith Siegel was later transferred to the Red Cross in Gaza Port
Unlaved American-Israeli hostages, Keith Siegel, embraces a loved one as he is reunited with family
Siegel was in the hands of Hamas for 15 months and three weeks before his release was secured
Family members all laughed in Israel on Saturday morning to the emotional reunion
Siegel is seen in a photo before he was held hostage
In the meantime, international mediators, including officials from Qatar and Egypt, are working on expanding the ceases -the fire outside the first timeline.
The reopening of the border crossing of Rafah has made crucial humanitarian aid possible to enter Gaza and offers a brief delay for citizens of war.
On Saturday, 50 sick and wounded Palestinian children were evacuated for urgent medical treatment, which underlines the terrible humanitarian crisis in the region.
The first phase of six weeks of the ceasefire has seen the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
However, challenges remain because Israel is dismantling Hamas, while the militant group refuses to free the remaining hostages without a complete cessation of hostilities and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Siegel was paraded by Hamas terrorists on a stage before he was finally released after 15 months
Israeli hostage agent Keith Siegel is delivered to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by hunters of the Ezz al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in Gaza City Today
Related Israeli hostage agent Aviva Siegel embraces her son as she responds to a images of her husband, Keith Siegel, who is transferred to the Red Cross
People look at a live stream report on a large screen about the release of three Israeli hostages, Keith Siegel, or Calderon and Yarden Bibas
Crowds gathered when the hostages were brought to a podium ceremonially by masked Hamas -armed men
Israel says it is committed to destroying Hamas. The terror group says that it will not release the remaining hostages without ending the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
About 1200 people, mainly citizens, were killed in the attack that led the war.
More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in the retribution of Israel, more than half of women and children, according to the health minister of Gaza, who does not say how many of the dead militants were.
The Israeli army says that it killed more than 17,000 hunters without providing evidence.
It blames the civil dead to Hamas because his hunters operate in residential areas with the help of the population as human shields.
