Hamas Releases Four More Hostages to Red Cross, Including Female Soldiers
In a significant development, Hamas has handed over four additional hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza. This latest release includes four female soldiers who were taken captive during the violent attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The handover was broadcast live on Al Jazeera, showcasing the moment armed Hamas fighters transferred the soldiers to Red Cross representatives.
The released individuals, identified as Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev, and Daniella Gilboa, were seen smiling as they were surrounded by armed militants. Prior to their transfer to Red Cross vehicles, the women were paraded on a stage where they waved to a gathering crowd in Gaza City. It remains uncertain whether their actions were voluntary or influenced by coercion.
Following their release, the soldiers are expected to undergo medical examinations before reuniting with their families in Israel. Reports indicate that upon their arrival in Israel, they will be taken to a medical facility near Tel Aviv, where they will also meet additional family members. There was a palpable sense of anticipation among supporters in Tel Aviv awaiting news of the hostages' release.
In a reciprocal action, Israel has initiated the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners from its jails. According to Palestinian sources, approximately 130 of these inmates have been transferred to Ramallah in the West Bank, where they will be welcomed by their families. Furthermore, around 70 prisoners are reportedly on their way to Egypt as part of the agreement, due to their involvement in serious offenses. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that these individuals arrived at the Kerem Shalom border crossing and will then be moved to the Rafah crossing to enter Egypt. Many of these prisoners are expected to continue their journey to other countries, including Qatar and Turkey.
The ongoing negotiations stipulate that for each released female soldier, Israel will free 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 who are serving life sentences. The total number of Palestinian detainees released in exchange for the four women amounts to 200. Among those set to be freed is Wael Kassem, who has been implicated in bomb attacks that resulted in numerous casualties in Israel.
As it stands, there are still around 90 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, with more than 30 of them reportedly declared deceased by Israeli authorities. Under the current ceasefire agreement, which was established ten days ago and is expected to last for six weeks, further releases of hostages are anticipated. In the previous week, Hamas had already released three Israeli civilian women, making this the second group of hostages to be released as part of the ongoing negotiations.
Next week, the agreement outlines that three more hostages will be released, with the overall deal calling for the release of 1,904 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a total of 33 hostages. The discussions between Hamas and Israel are set to continue, aiming for a broader resolution that includes the complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages. However, if negotiations falter, the potential for renewed conflict remains.
The Gaza conflict erupted following a coordinated assault by Hamas and other militant groups on Israel in October 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 250 individuals taken hostage. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, with the Palestinian health authority reporting over 47,000 deaths, though the breakdown between civilians and combatants remains undisclosed.
