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Four Israeli soldiers released by Hamas

25 January, 2025 15:29

Hamas on Saturday released four female Israeli soldiers held in Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement.

The female troops were handed over to Red Cross officials at Palestine Square in Gaza City. In exchange, Israel is now expected to release 200 Palestinians from Israeli jails.

Ahead of the release, scores of masked Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters gathered at the square where a large crowd of Palestinians also congregated.

Apart from that, hundreds of Hamas members, other Palestinian factions, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, are also present at the site.

Representatives of the Red Cross and a Hamas fighter were seen signing documents ahead of the release.

The released soldiers are Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag. They were wearing Israeli military uniforms, waved to the crowd as they were released.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed receiving the list from mediators but stated that Israel’s response would be issued later.

During the initial exchange, three Israeli women and 90 Palestinian prisoners were freed.

The Gaza ceasefire agreement stipulates that for every Israeli female soldier released, 50 Palestinian prisoners will be freed, meaning around 200 Palestinians are expected to be released this weekend in exchange for the four Israeli soldiers.

However, some Israeli media reports indicated that the list did not align with the terms of the ceasefire, with Israel having expected civilians to be included in this latest exchange, rather than exclusively soldiers.

Reports suggested that Israel had hoped civilians would be released first, followed by soldiers, and those who were critically ill.

As of now, Israel has confirmed that 94 Israelis and foreign nationals remain held in Gaza. Since the beginning of the ceasefire, brokered by Qatar and Egypt and supported by the United States, there have been significant prisoner exchanges.

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