Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Friday it would free the father of the youngest hostages seized in its Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel and two others including a dual U.S. citizen in the next exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

The cease-fire is also a beacon of hope for Palestinians who have suffered immensely during Israel’s 15-month campaign to eradicate Hamas. The Palestinian civilian death toll is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, with more than 80 percent of the population internally displaced.

Barry Rosen “lived in darkness” for 444 days after being taken by Iranian revolutionaries on Nov. 4, 1979, each day a new low of feeling “hopeless and helpless .” “Nothing is more important than for them to be home and see their loved ones again,” an emotional Rosen, 80, told The Post, after a cease-fire deal was announced this week.