Hamas is set to release four Israeli female soldiers on Saturday as part of a prisoner exchange aimed at ending the 15-month war in Gaza. The soldiers named, Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, were captured during Hamas’s attack on their observation post near Gaza on October 7, 2023.
200 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released
Hamas’s prisoners media office announced that 200 Palestinian detainees would also be freed, including 120 who are serving life sentences. This will mark the second exchange under the ceasefire agreement, which began Sunday. Earlier, Hamas released three Israeli
Hamas’s prisoners media office announced that 200 Palestinian detainees would also be freed, including 120 serving life sentences. This will mark the second exchange under the ceasefire agreement, which began Sunday. Earlier, Hamas released three Israeli civilians in return for 90 Palestinian prisoners. While Hamas has identified the four hostages to be freed, Israeli officials have yet to confirm.
The ceasefire deal, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and supported by the United States, is the first significant truce since a brief one-week pause in November 2023. During the initial six weeks of the agreement, Hamas will release 33 hostages, including vulnerable groups, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israel will also pull back troops from some areas in Gaza. Further negotiations are planned to address the remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which has suffered extensive destruction.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack, killing 1,200 people and capturing over 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. In response, Israeli strikes and ground operations in Gaza have resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by local health authorities.
Last Sunday, Israel secured the release of three hostages—Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher—and recovered the remains of a soldier missing for a decade. Despite these exchanges, Israel estimates 94 hostages remain in Gaza, though their status is unclear.
(With Reuters Inputs)