On Saturday, Hamas released four Israeli women soldiers following parading them in the crowd. This was a component of a larger agreement that included Israel’s intention to free 200 Palestinian prisoners later that day, all while maintaining a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli government confirmed that the released hostages were now with Israeli forces following being handed over to the Red Cross at a large public gathering in Gaza City. Thousands of people had gathered for the event, which was seen as a key moment in the ongoing situation. Crowds had also started to assemble in Tel Aviv and Gaza City. This exchange marked the second such swap since the ceasefire started the previous weekend, presenting another significant test for the already fragile peace deal.
The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the militant group. The fragile deal has so far held, airstrikes and rockets and allowing for increased aid to flow into the tiny coastal territory. In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, a big screen showed the faces of the four female soldiers expected to be released. Some in the growing crowd wore Israeli flags, others held posters with the hostages’ faces.
“I’m extremely excited, exhilarated,” said onlooker Gili Roman. “In a heartbeat, in a split of a second, their lives are going to turn upside again, but right now for a positive and a good side. He said his sister was released in the only other ceasefire in November, but another relative was killed in captivity. When the ceasefire started Sunday, three hostages held by the militants were released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, all women and children.
On Saturday, four hostages are expected to be freed for 200 prisoners, including 120 who are serving life sentences following being convicted of deadly attacks on Israelis. They will likely be released into Gaza or sent abroad. The four Israeli soldiers, Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19, were captured in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war.1
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