In a significant development, Hamas released four Israeli women soldiers to the International Red Cross (ICRC) under a truce agreement in Gaza. The soldiers, who had been held captive for 477 days, were handed over as part of a prisoner exchange aimed at ending the prolonged conflict in the region.
The soldiers, identified as Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, were captured during an attack near Gaza on October 7, 2023. Before their release, they were paraded in military-style uniforms in Gaza City.
The scene, set up by Hamas, showed the women smiling and waving before they were escorted into ICRC vehicles, which took them to Israeli forces.
This release is part of a broader agreement that involves the exchange of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has announced that 200 Palestinian detainees are set to be freed in exchange for the Israeli soldiers.
These prisoners reportedly include members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), with some serving life sentences.
The ceasefire deal, which facilitated the exchange, has brought a temporary halt to the 15-month-long conflict in Gaza. Negotiated through months of diplomatic efforts led by Qatar and Egypt with support from the United States, the truce marks the first significant pause in hostilities since November 2023.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israeli forces are expected to partially withdraw from a strategic area in central Gaza. This move is intended to enable hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza.
The truce also marks the second prisoner swap since the ceasefire began. Earlier, Hamas released three Israeli civilians in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. The process has been hailed as a step towards de-escalation, though the situation in the region remains fragile.
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