Four Israeli Soldiers Freed by Hamas in Ceasefire Deal “`

This action is part of a ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian armed group.

As shown in a live stream, Hamas released four Israeli female hostages to the Red Cross as part of a ceasefire agreement with West Jerusalem. In return, Israel is to release 200 Palestinian prisoners.

Earlier reports identified the hostages as Liri Albag (19), Karina Ariev (20), Danielle Gilboa (20), and Naama Levy (20). All four were members of a surveillance unit captured at the Nahal Oz military base near Gaza during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack.

Live footage from Gaza City’s Palestine Square showed Red Cross representatives signing documents with Hamas officials. Shortly after, the Israeli captives briefly appeared, escorted by masked armed guards, before being transferred to Red Cross vehicles.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the release, stating that the Red Cross had transferred four Israeli hostages who were en route to military positions in Gaza. The IDF later confirmed the hostages’ safe handover to the military, requesting respect for the hostages’ and their families’ privacy.

Israeli officials stated the soldiers would receive an initial medical assessment at an army facility before being transferred to a hospital to reunite with their families.

Hamas released a list of 200 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released by Israel. Al Jazeera reported that 121 of these prisoners were serving life sentences.

Earlier this month, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement ending their 15-month conflict. Mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, the agreement is three-phased. The first phase involves Hamas releasing 33 hostages—including children, female soldiers, and the wounded and sick—in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinians.

Subsequent phases will see the release of remaining male civilians and soldiers held by Hamas, and the return of the remains of deceased captives from both sides.