Hamas Releases Four Israeli Hostages in Second Exchange Following Gaza Ceasefire
Militants from Hamas' Al Qassam brigades have handed over four Israeli female soldiers to the Red Cross on Saturday. This release took place during a ceremony held in Gaza City's Palestine Square, attended by hundreds and broadcast live by Al Jazeera. This marks the second hostage exchange since the ceasefire agreement with Israel was established last Sunday.
The released women are Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, all aged between 19 and 20. They were captured on October 7, 2023, during their mandatory military service at the Nahal Oz military base, located just a kilometer away from Gaza.
After spending 477 days in captivity, the four women successfully crossed into Israeli territory to reunite with their families, as part of the broader ceasefire agreement which also involves the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners today, according to the Israeli military.
The soldiers were escorted by security forces and Shin Bet, Israel's domestic intelligence agency, as they crossed the border into Israel for a reunion with their families and a medical check-up.
During a video conference, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari announced, "Today, as part of the ongoing efforts, we welcome four more Israeli hostages." He reiterated that the mission will not conclude until all captives are returned home.
At 11:36 AM local time, the military confirmed that the released hostages were under their custody after being transferred in northern Gaza from Hamas to Red Cross vehicles, which had arranged a parade with hundreds of militants in Palestine Square.
The Hostage Forum, representing families of the remaining 87 hostages still in Gaza, expressed that the return of these young women symbolizes a moment of hope and triumph, while emphasizing the urgent need for the release of all captives.
"We will not cease our efforts until all phases of this agreement are fulfilled and every last hostage is back with their loved ones. We extend our deepest gratitude to President Trump for his pivotal role in facilitating this agreement," the organization stated in a communication.
The young women appeared smiling and in good health upon their release to the Red Cross, greeting the gathered crowd and the Palestinian militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad who had come to welcome them.
In exchange for the four soldiers, Israel will release 200 Palestinian prisoners throughout the day. According to the terms agreed upon, each soldier will be swapped for 50 prisoners.
However, Israel has announced that it will not allow the Gaza population to return to the northern part of the enclave on Sunday as initially stipulated by the ceasefire agreement, until Hamas organizes the release of civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, who was expected to be freed today instead of one of the female soldiers.
According to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, "As agreed, Israel will not permit Gazans to cross into northern Gaza until the release of Arbel Yehud is arranged, who should have been freed today." Shortly after this announcement, Hamas reportedly informed Israel that Yehud is alive and would be released next Saturday, as per Al Jazeera.
The Palestinian Prisoners Commission (PPSMO) has released the list of 200 Palestinian prisoners who will be freed by Israel today as part of this second hostage exchange. Notably, 120 of these individuals were serving life sentences.
The PPSMO indicated that among those serving life sentences, 81 are from Hamas, 23 from Islamic Jihad, 13 from the secular Fatah movement, two from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and one from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The list includes the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner in Israeli custody, 69-year-old Mohamed Ahmed Abdel Hamid Al Tus from Bethlehem, who has been imprisoned since 1985.
According to sources from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 121 of the 200 prisoners will be transferred to Egypt and Gaza today, although the exact distribution has not been specified.
Those who are sent to Egypt will be deported to Algeria, Turkey, and Tunisia, as reported by Ameen Shoman, head of the prisoners and ex-prisoners commission in the occupied West Bank. The remaining 79 will be released in the occupied West Bank, where, according to Shoman, no significant celebrations have been organized due to the ongoing situation in Gaza.
