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Four Israeli Soldiers Freed by Hamas in Ceasefire Exchange

The Palestinian militant group Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers on Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, following a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending a 15-month conflict in Gaza.

In Gaza City, a large crowd of Palestinians and numerous armed Hamas members surrounded the podium where the four were presented. They smiled and waved before entering vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross and being transported to Israeli forces.

The soldiers, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, had been captured by Hamas during their attack on an Israeli observation post on the Gaza border on October 7, 2023.

Watching the exchange live from a nearby military base across the border, their parents erupted in joy and applause at the sight of their daughters. In Tel Aviv, at Hostages Square, crowds gathered and cheered, watching the event on a large outdoor screen.

After the exchange, the soldiers reunited with their families and were taken for medical check-ups at a central Israeli hospital, as confirmed by the military and the health ministry. Images released by the Israeli military captured emotional reunions with their families, full of smiles and tears.

Following the release of the hostages, buses were seen departing from the Israeli Ofer military prison in the occupied West Bank, carrying the freed Palestinian prisoners. According to the Israel Prison Service, all 200 prisoners were released.

These prisoners included convicted militants who had been serving life sentences for attacks that resulted in multiple fatalities, as published by Hamas.

Approximately 70 of these prisoners will be deported to Egypt, 16 will be sent to Gaza, and the remainder will be released in the West Bank, as stated by Palestinian authorities.

Dispute

This prisoner exchange, the second since the ceasefire began on January 19, followed the release of three Israeli civilians by Hamas in return for 90 Palestinian prisoners.

However, the joy in Israel was tempered by the absence of Arbel Yehud, a 29-year-old civilian expected to be released on Saturday but who was not. She had been abducted from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, alongside her boyfriend.

An Israeli military spokesperson criticized the delay as a breach of the ceasefire agreement, while Hamas attributed it to a technical issue and promised her release the following Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced restrictions on movement for Palestinians in Gaza, particularly the northern areas, until the issue is resolved.

Many Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza during the conflict were anticipating a return beginning Sunday, awaiting resolution of the matter by mediators.

Ceasefire

After months of intermittent negotiations facilitated by Qatar and Egypt and supported by the United States, the ceasefire agreement has momentarily halted the conflict. This marks the first break in hostilities since a brief ceasefire in November 2023.

During the initial six-week phase of the ceasefire, Hamas has committed to releasing 33 hostages, including children, women, elderly men, and those who are sick or injured, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, coinciding with Israeli military withdrawal from certain areas of Gaza.

Subsequent negotiations will address the exchange of remaining hostages, including military-aged men, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the heavily damaged Gaza Strip.

Following Saturday’s exchange, 90 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli authorities having declared approximately a third deceased in absentia.

Concerns grow among families of hostages not included in the current phase, fearing the ceasefire may collapse before their loved ones are released.

Israel initiated its military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, resulting in 1,200 Israeli fatalities and over 250 hostages taken to Gaza. Since then, over 47,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, according to local health officials.

The conflict has also resulted in over 400 Israeli military casualties. While Hamas has not disclosed its casualties, Israel estimates that a significant portion of the fatalities in Gaza are militants.