Hamas militants parade Ofer Kalderon in front of cameras before his release. (Reuters TV)
In short:
Hamas has handed over three Israeli hostages scheduled for release in Gaza today — Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas in Khan Younis, and Keith Siegel at the Port of Gaza shortly afterwards.
There are grave fears for Mr Bibas's wife and two young children, who were taken hostage alongside him by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 terror attacks.
What's next?
The release of the hostages has triggered the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees by Israeli authorities.
Hamas has handed over three Israeli hostages in Gaza after holding them in captivity for 484 days, a move that triggered the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners by Israeli authorities.
On Saturday morning, local time, 54-year-old Ofer Kalderon and 35-year-old Yarden Bibas were presented to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, in the strip's south.
The pair were taken to the Re'im military base in southern Israel, just over the border from Gaza, for an initial medical check and reunions with some immediate family members.
A third hostage, 65-year-old Israeli-American Keith Siegel, was handed over to the Red Cross a short time later at the destroyed Port of Gaza.
He has since crossed into Israeli territory, and is also on his way to the Re'im base. All three men will then be taken to hospital for medical treatment.
American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel was the third hostage released today. ( Reuters TV)
There are grave fears for Mr Bibas's wife Shiri and two young children, Ariel, 5, and Kfir, 2, who were taken hostage along with Mr Bibas during the October 7 attack in 2023.
Israeli authorities fear the three are dead, and it is unclear if Mr Bibas has any knowledge of their welfare.
Mr Siegel's wife Aviva was also abducted during the attack, but she was freed during the last ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in November 2023.
Yarden Bibas speaks to an IDF soldier after his release. (Supplied)
As with other handovers, Hamas paraded the hostages before waiting media.
But unlike the last release on Thursday, which featured chaotic scenes in Khan Younis as thousands of Palestinians gathered to witness the events and surged forward towards the Israeli hostages, the area was under tight control.
Banners were unfurled behind Mr Kalderon and Mr Bibas in Khan Younis, showing the faces of Hamas political leaders killed during the war with Israel in Gaza.
Israel begins releasing Palestinian prisoners
The return of the three hostages triggered the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
A bus containing 32 prisoners and detainees left Ofer Military Prison in the West Bank and arrived in Ramallah shortly after midday, where the occupants were greeted with cheers by a crowd.
A freed Palestinian man is greeted by a crowd after being released from an Israeli jail. (Reuters: Mohammed Torokman)
The remaining prisoners are due to either be returned to Gaza or be deported.
According to Palestinian authorities, that number includes 111 people from the Gaza Strip who had been arrested and held without trial since October 7, 2023.
Dozens of other Palestinians due to be released were serving lengthy or life sentences.
Kalderons pop champagne as they see Ofer released
There were scenes of celebration at the home of Ofer Kalderon's cousin, Eyal, where family and friends gathered to watch the release live on television.
Some cried as they saw Mr Kalderon on stage, and remarked that he looked well despite his almost 16-month-long ordeal.
The Kalderon family celebrates after seeing Ofer Kalderon handed over by Hamas. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)
"He's looking so good, strong, he's waving," Eyal said.
"We just want to hug him, see his children hugging him, it's an amazing sight — a dream come true after 484 days.
"I can't stress how much we feel so proud of him that he survived."
The family said the new US administration had played a crucial role in ensuring Mr Kalderon and the other hostages were released, naming President Donald Trump and his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Eyal Kalderon watches as his cousin is released by Hamas. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)
"You did an amazing job. We are so honoured that you are with us. We thank you so much," Eyal said.
"And we ask from you, and we demand from you, not to stop until the last hostages come home.
"Every family needs to close this event, close this circle, and to bring their loved ones back home."
Ofer Kalderon is a French-Israeli citizen, and French President Emmanuel Macron took to social media to celebrate his release.
"We share the immense relief and joy of his loved ones after 483 days of unimaginable hell," he said.
Another French citizen is still being held.
"Our thoughts are with Ohad Yahalomi, still in the hands of Hamas, and with his family," Mr Macron said.
"France is doing everything it can to secure his release without delay."
