Day 484 - 2 freed men were hugged by their kids; Yarden Bibas was not

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute
audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and
the Jewish world.


Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda
Borschel-Dan for today's episode.


Three Israeli hostages were freed from Hamas captivity today and
returned to their families in Israel: Yarden Bibas, Ofer Calderon
and Keith Siegel. Horovitz compares today's two release
"ceremonies" with the bedlam experienced on Thursday. We also
learn how Hamas symbolically reminded onlookers of the horrors of
October 7, 2023.


As we are increasingly hearing details of how those who are now
released were treated in captivity, the mother of freed hostage
Emily Damari revealed Friday that her daughter was held by Hamas
at UNRWA facilities in the Gaza Strip, and that her captors
refused to give her access to medical treatment. Horovitz weighs
in on how seriously the world will listen to the freed hostages.


Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, shortly after
three Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7
were released by the terror group in the Gaza Strip.
According to Palestinian authorities, 18 of the prisoners were
serving life sentences. Alongside the return of their brothers in
arms, what else are Hamas's aims in the release of these terror
masterminds?


Twelve more living hostages are meant to be freed in the coming
weeks of phase one. Later this week, negotiations are supposed to
begin in earnest on phase two of the accord. How does Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to Washington, DC, further
Israel's goals?


For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s
ongoing live blog.


Discussed articles include:


Hostages Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel, Ofer Calderon freed
after 484 days in Hamas captivity


Tears, cheers and tight embraces as 3 released hostages
reunited with relatives


As Yarden Bibas is released, relief, dread, and evidence
that Hamas is reviving


Emily Damari’s mom: My daughter was held in UNRWA
facilities, denied medical treatment


Hostages’ stories: Gadi Mozes paced 7km a day in tiny
cell, soldiers rationed grains of rice


183 Palestinian security prisoners released after Hamas
sets free 3 civilian hostages


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podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.


IMAGE: Yarden Bibas is seen on an IDF helicopter on his way to a
hospital in central Israel on February 1, 2025 (Israel Defense
Force)


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