Hamas released four Israeli hostages in Gaza early Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners to be released later in the day. It was the second edition that happened as part of the ceasefire agreement which started last weekend.
A large crowd gathered in Palestine Square in northern Gaza to witness the surrender of the hostages to the Red Cross. Scores of armed Hamas militants in uniform gathered for the release, surrounding a podium with Hamas slogans. Drones could be seen dropping small packages, which Israeli media reported contained candy, onto the crowd.
Karina Ariev, 20 years old; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Naama Levy, 20; and Liri Albag, 19, were captured by Hamas. Terrorist attack on October 7, 2023 which ignited the Israel-Hamas war. About 1,200 people were killed in Israel and more than 47,000 have since been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Four female soldiers were abducted from the Nahal Oz military base, on the border with northern Gaza, when Palestinian militants seized it on October 7. They served in the observatory unit there.
Before the release, members of the Red Cross were taken to a podium in Palestine Square, where they signed documents together with Hamas militants.
Four Israeli women arrived at the square in cars. They appeared in military uniforms and were also brought to the podium, where, smiling, they gave thumbs up and waved to the crowd. Then they got into Red Cross vehicles and started their journey out of Gaza.
Abed Hajjar / AP
In Tel Aviv, crowds gathered to celebrate the hostages’ return to Israel after 476 days of captivity.
Over 60 other soldiers were killed at the Nahal Oz base during the October 7 terrorist attack, and another female soldier was taken hostage from the same unit, although she was not included in Saturday’s statement.
The family of Liri Albag said that she was able to pass messages to them through other hostages who were previously freed.
Before today’s announcement, seven Israeli women were believed to be detained in Gaza, including five IDF members and two civilians. One of the civilians is Arbel Yehoud, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Another Israeli civilian is Shiri Bibaswho was taken with her two small children Ariel and Kfira. Hamas claimed that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir were later killed in an Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
Ariel Schalit / AP
In a TV interview in June, then-Israeli minister Benny Gantz indicated the government knew what happened to the Bibas family, but said he could not provide details.
Under the terms of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, the civilian hostages were to be freed before the soldiers, and Yehoud was expected to be among the four freed on Saturday.
“Hamas failed to fulfill its obligations to first release the Israeli civilian hostages as part of the agreement,” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a statement after the release. “We are determined to return Arbel Yehoud, an Israeli citizen abducted from Nir Oz, as well as Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfira and Ariel, for whose welfare we are extremely concerned. We appreciate and thank the efforts of all international mediators, the United States, Qatar and Egypt and we expect them to make sure that Hamas complies with the agreement.”
The Israeli prime minister’s office said the exchange of Palestinian prisoners would continue, but that people in Gaza would not be allowed to cross the Netzarim corridor.
“Today, Israel received four kidnapped female soldiers from the terrorist organization Hamas, and in return they will release the security prisoners according to the set key,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said in a statement. “According to the agreement, Israel will not allow the passage of Gazans to the north of the Gaza Strip – until the release of the citizen Arbel Yehoud, who was supposed to be released today, is organized.
Maya Alleruzzo / AP
Al Jazeera reported that a senior Hamas official said Yehoud would be released next Saturday.
200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel are expected to be released later on Saturday, including 121 serving life sentences. They are expected to be sent to Gaza, Egypt and potentially other countries in the region.
After Saturday’s exchange, Israeli forces are expected to begin withdrawing from the central road that divides northern and southern Gaza from east to west, called the Netzarim Corridor. Palestinian civilians who were displaced from northern Gaza then they should be able to return, although they will only be allowed on foot during this phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Some displaced Palestinians who managed to return to their homes in the south after the first hostage and prisoner exchange last weekend found nothing but rubble and in some cases only the skeletal remains of loved ones killed in the fighting.
The Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and an agreement on the release of hostages it is expected to take place in phases, with each phase negotiated during the phase preceding it.
Jehad Alshrafi / AP
The first phase, which began last Saturday, involves the release by Hamas of 33 hostages over a six-week period. They include women, children and hostages over the age of 50, according to a draft reviewed by CBS News.
On the first day of the deal, Hamas released three hostages. On the seventh day – which is today – the four hostages were released.
After that, Hamas is expected to release three hostages taken from Israel every seven days, starting with the living and then returning the bodies of those who died.
Over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israel are also expected to be freed in the first phase of the deal.
