Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group, released four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday as part of an ongoing ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Israel. The soldiers, dressed in Israeli military uniforms, were seen smiling and waving at the crowd at Palestine Square in Gaza City before being transferred to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The handover ceremony was attended by thousands of Palestinians, including members of Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades. ICRC representatives were present on stage to sign the official document prior to the soldiers’ release. The Israeli army confirmed that the four soldiers were handed over to Israeli forces in Gaza before being transported to Israel.
The four Israeli soldiers, whose names were revealed by Hamas on Friday, are Liri Albag (19), Daniella Gilboa (20), Karina Ariev (20), and Naama Levy (20). All four are members of Israel’s surveillance unit stationed at the Nahal Oz base. In return for their release, Israel is set to free 200 Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire agreement, which began on January 19, has suspended Israel’s violent military campaign in Gaza. This pause in hostilities comes after the deaths of nearly 47,300 Palestinians, many of them women and children, and the injury of more than 111,400 since the war started on October 7, 2023. The truce aims for a sustained calm, leading to a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The conflict has caused immense suffering, with over 11,000 people still missing and widespread destruction leaving Gaza in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. Furthermore, Israel faces international legal scrutiny, with arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli officials accused of war crimes.
