Hamas releases four Israeli soldiers (VIDEO)

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The move comes as part of the ceasefire deal with the Palestinian armed group

Hamas has released four female Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire deal with West Jerusalem, handing them over to the Red Cross, a live stream of the exchange shows. Israel is expected to release 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

Earlier media reports suggested that the Palestinian group agreed to hand over Liri Albag, 19, Karina Ariev, 20, Danielle Gilboa, 20, and Naama Levy, 20. All four are members of a surveillance unit that was captured at Nahal Oz military base near Gaza during Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, 2023.

According to the live footage from the crowded Gaza City’s Palestine Square, Red Cross representatives appeared on a stage and signed what looked like the exchange papers with Hamas officials. Moments later, the Israeli captives also briefly appeared on the platform while being escorted by armed guards wearing masks, before being taken to Red Cross vehicles and driven away.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed the release, saying “the Red Cross has communicated that four Israeli hostages were transferred to them and are on their way toward” the military positions in Gaza. Later, the IDF said that the captives had been handed over to the military without incident, asking everyone “to respect the privacy of the returning hostages and their families.”

Israeli officials earlier said the female soldiers would be taken to an army medical facility to undergo an initial checkup, and would later be transferred to a hospital to meet with their families.

Meanwhile, Hamas has released a list of 200 Palestinian prisoners who are expected to be freed by Israel shortly as part of the exchange. Al Jazeera has reported that 121 of them were serving life sentences.


READ MORE: Israel launches ‘counterterrorist operation’ in West Bank

Earlier this month, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement to end their 15-month conflict, which brought unprecedented devastation to Gaza. The deal, which was mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, is split into three phases, with Hamas expected to release 33 hostages, including children, female soldiers, the wounded, and sick, in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinians during the first stage.

Subsequent phases will see the release of the remaining male civilians and soldiers held by Hamas, as well as the return of the remains of deceased captives from both sides.

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