While the first releases of hostages took place in Gaza following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, two Franco-Israeli remain captive in worrying conditions. The French authorities mobilized, but without news of their condition…
Despite the first releases of Israeli hostages by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the fate of two Franco-Israeli citizens remains unresolved. Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi are still detained by the Palestinian movement in uncertain conditions, causing concern among the French authorities who say they are working to obtain their release.
Worrying news about the state of the hostages
According to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Paris has not “no news” concerning the conditions of detention and the state of health of the two men. An alarming situation as three Israeli hostages have just been released by Hamas in exchange for the release by Israel of 90 Palestinian detainees, as part of the ceasefire agreement.
MM. Kalderon and Yahalomi are among 33 hostages expected to be released within the next 40 days under the terms of the truce. France claims to have used all its diplomatic weight to ensure that its nationals appear on this priority list. But uncertainty remains over their immediate fate.
A heavy human toll after 15 months of conflict
Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Kalderon are 50 and 54 years old respectively. They were kidnapped on October 7, 2023 during a major Hamas offensive against Israel, during which 251 people were captured. Both men resided on Kibbutz Nir Oz.
This unprecedented attack marks the starting point of a devastating war which lasted more than 15 months, leaving more than 46,000 dead, the vast majority among Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. A ceasefire finally came into force this weekend, including an exchange of prisoners.
-The families of MM. Kalderon and Yahalomi waiting
If the children of Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Kalderon, aged 12 to 16, were able to be released during the first truce in November 2023, their fathers are still held in Gaza. A particularly difficult situation for the families with whom President Emmanuel Macron spoke this weekend.
Of the 251 hostages of October 7, 91 are still in the hands of Hamas, 34 of whom are believed to have died according to the Israeli army. The initial phase of the ceasefire agreement provides for the release of 33 of them against 737 Palestinian prisoners, over a period of six weeks.
France “mobilized until the last hour”
A total of eight French people were captured during the attack on October 7. Four were released, but two unfortunately died in captivity. Minister Jean-Noël Barrot wanted to assure that France would remain “mobilized until the last hour” to obtain the release of Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi.
This hostage crisis is part of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has been tearing the region apart for decades. Although a fragile ceasefire now appears to be in place, the fate of civilians caught in the crossfire remains more than ever at the heart of concerns. And for the families of the hostages, the wait and the anguish remain unbearable.
Related News :