A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban freed two Americans in exchange for a Taliban figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, officials said Tuesday.

A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban freed two Americans – including a man from Western New York – in exchange for a Taliban figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges,

In the very last hours of President Joe Biden’s time in office, a prisoner exchange years in the making was finally struck: the Taliban agreed to swap two Americans being held in Afghanistan for one Taliban member serving a life sentence in a US prison.

President Joe Biden, center, with Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and Sec. of State Anthony Blinken, right, speaks at the White House on the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza after more than 15 months of war, Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington. Credit: AP/Evan Vucci

Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement just days ahead of Trump taking office. The conflict had raged in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, in the wake of a Hamas raid on Israel that saw it seize roughly 250 hostages and kill more than 1,200 civilians.

The two were exchanged for a man arrested in eastern Afghanistan two decades ago who has been serving a life sentence in a California prison.

The deal to release two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, was brokered by Joe Biden 's administration ... negotiations in Qatar, according to a former senior Biden administration ...

Before Biden left office, his administration had been ... Corbett and McKenty late last week following negotiations in Qatar, according to a former senior Biden administration official who was ...

The deal to release two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, was brokered by Joe Biden ‘s ... following negotiations in Qatar, according to a former senior Biden administration official ...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the ceasefire with Hamas until a list of hostages is received. The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, the

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden bid goodbye to the American ... The Biden administration brokered the deal, along with Qatar and Egypt. Biden started his speech by reflecting for a few minutes ...

A Qatari official has told Newsweek that the country at the center of the recently established ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement will support President Donald Trump in pushing both sides to adhere to the truce.