Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old U.S. citizen abducted by Hamas, is expected to be freed Saturday as part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, ending an agonizing 15-month wait for his family.

Even in war, branding applies. Israel and Hamas are engaged in a parallel battle of optics despite a ceasefire that took effect Jan. 19 after more than a year of devastating war.

Officials from Israel and Hamas say the militant group will release three Israelis, including two women and an 80-year-old man, and five Thai nationals.