From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Hostage Ofer Calderon is handed over to the Red Cross
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Hostage Ofer Calderon is handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas after 484 days in captivity.
Calderon is seen paraded on a stage in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis. He briefly waves to the crowd before leaving in a Red Cross vehicle.
Calderon is dressed in olive clothes like the hostages who were released in recent days.
He appears to be in relatively good health.
He is made to stand in front of a poster showing slain Hamas leaders including Muhammed Deif, the military leader that Hamas acknowledged his death this week.
The ceremony is brief and carefully stage-managed by Hamas, without the large crowds and protracted handover that marked Thursday’s release of Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes. After that chaotic event, Israel insisted on guarantees from the mediators that future handovers would be calm.
The Times of Israel Community.