4 C
London
Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Gaza: Upcoming Release of Last Two French Hostages Held by Hamas

Date:

Related stories

Rising Water Prices in Municipalities: What to Expect in the Future

Drinking tap water might seem ordinary, but its cost...

Potential Sabotage on the New Warship Emden?

Concerns about potential sabotage of the new corvette 'Emden'...

French President of the Central African Republic: Is His Account Hacked for Cryptocurrency Launch?

Professor Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African...

Title: Bundestag’s General Debate: A Conclusive Farewell Discussion

The upcoming 2025 federal election in Germany is marked...

Hair Growth Gone Awry: The Troubling Experiences of French Citizens Facing Botched Overseas Procedures

Clément seeks corrective hair reconstruction after a flawed transplant...
- Advertisement -

Recent updates suggest a positive development for families of hostages in Gaza, as French President Emmanuel Macron announced that two French nationals, Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi, are among those to be released under a ceasefire agreement. The situation has been dire for their families, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressing their anguish and hope for their safe return. Both men were captured during the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties.

A Hopeful Turn for Hostages in Gaza

Is relief finally on the horizon for the families of hostages? Recent announcements from Emmanuel Macron indicate that the last two French nationals held in the Gaza Strip are set to be released soon. On January 17, the French President shared on X that Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi are among the 33 hostages included in the initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. This 42-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas allows for the liberation of 33 of the 98 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, beginning Sunday.

Uncertainty and Hope for Families

For months, the fate of these two Franco-Israelis has been shrouded in uncertainty. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed the anguish felt by their families, stating on RTL, “For far too many months, we have had no news of them, except for the testimonies of those who returned from the hell of Gaza.” He emphasized the desperate hope that Ofer and Ohad will return alive and in good health, though he admitted he had “no certainty” regarding their status.

During the devastating Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, which claimed over 1,200 lives, primarily civilians, “48 of our compatriots lost their lives, eight were taken hostage, two of them unfortunately died, and four returned, including the children of Ofer and Ohad,” noted the French diplomatic head.

Profiles of the Hostages

Ofer Kalderon, aged 53, is a carpenter and father of four. Two of his children, Erez and Sahar, were kidnapped but later released on November 27, 2023, during a temporary truce. His ex-wife, Hadas Jaoui-Kalderon, who escaped to safety, shared her anguish on TF1’s 8 PM news, stating, “Don’t ask me if Ofer is alive, I don’t know.” She recounted a harrowing message she sent him on the day of the attack, highlighting the chaos they faced.

Described as a devoted father, Ofer was reportedly seen “alive” by Yocheved Lifshitz, a former hostage, who claims to have encountered him during the early days of his captivity.

Ohad Yahalomi, 50, was also in the kibbutz of Nir Oz during the assault. A father of three, he was taken hostage alongside his son Eitan, who was freed at the end of November 2023. His wife, Bat Sheva, recounted the traumatic moment of his abduction, stating, “We were at home in the safe room… The terrorists entered the house and shot my husband.” Since that day, his family has received no proof of life for 15 months.

Latest stories