Today four female Israeli soldiers were released by Hamas. They were brought out in military uniform and made to stand on a podium and wave. They were handed over to Red Cross members and the vehicle has now left Gaza with the hostages.
The soldiers have been reunited with their families in Israel, with crowds shedding tears of joy as they gathered in a plaza, a hostage square in Tel Aviv, to watch the release.
Hamas mentioned on Friday that they would release four Israeli female soldiers being held hostage from October 7, 2023. This is the second exchange under the ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza.
All were taken captive from the Nahal Oz military base, about a kilometer from the Gaza border.
Naama Levi, 20
Her video circulated on social media right after the kidnapping. It disarms and cuts him, his trousers stained with blood, with his hands tied. He was being pushed into a vehicle by a gunman.
Daniela Gilboa, 20
She was wounded during the attack on 7 October, and appeared lame during the capture. In a video released by Hamas last year, he appealed to the government to work for his release.
Liri Albagh, 19
A few days and a half after starting his military service, he was taken hostage. Hamas also released his video, reading a message and appealing for his release.
Kareena Ariv, 20
She could only speak briefly with her parents. Shortly thereafter, a video was released by Hamas, which showed him with a bandaged head with blood stains on it.
According to the plan, following the release of the four Israeli female soldiers, Israel should free a group of 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons, according to Reuters.
This delicate deal is set to lay the foundation for a permanent end to the war in Gaza.
Following the announcement of the ceasefire, many displaced Gazans tried to return home after more than a year of continuous war, but found only debris where houses once stood.
“Even if we think about returning, there is no place for us to pitch our tents because of the destruction,” a displaced woman told AFP.
The declaration of a ceasefire has been made a reality through the efforts of three countries: Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, after months of negotiations. However, Donald Trump claimed full credit for the ceasefire deal, saying “This epic ceasefire agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November”, as he posted on his Truth Social account.
According to the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire deal, 33 hostages Israel believes are still alive must be returned in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
The next phase of the war is expected to bring a more permanent end to the war, and the final phase should see the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of the bodies of dead hostages.
(tagstotranslate) Israel Gaza (T) Israel Gaza ceasefire
