Hamas has released four Israeli female soldiers who were taken hostage in Gaza City. The soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—were captured while wearing military uniforms.
According to the Israeli military (IDF), the Red Cross informed them that Hamas handed over the hostages. The Red Cross then transported the soldiers to IDF and Shin Bet forces in Gaza. The soldiers carried “gift bags” given by Hamas as they were escorted to Red Cross vehicles.
This release is part of a prisoner exchange deal. Israel is set to release 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the four soldiers, as per the terms of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Hamas announced on January 24 that these four female soldiers would be released under the second phase of the ceasefire deal. Earlier, during the first phase of the six-week agreement, Israel had agreed to release 50 Palestinian prisoners for every female soldier released.
This ceasefire and prisoner exchange aim to end a 15-month-long conflict that began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israel launched a war that has resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, according to health authorities.
