Hamas militants handed over four captive female Israeli soldiers to the Red Cross in Gaza City on Saturday after parading them in front of a crowd. Israel followed with the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees as part of the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The hostages were freed in a heavily staged handover, ahead of the expected release of 200 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas said on Friday that it would release four female soldiers held hostage for over a year in Gaza. Under the terms of a cease-fire deal, Israel would be expected to release around 200 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas said that it intends to release Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag on Saturday. All four of the women were serving as Israel Defense Forces soldiers at the time of their kidnapping.
All four hostages are female Israeli soldiers. They are expected to be released Saturday in accordance with a ceasefire agreement with Israel that's halted fighting in the Gaza war since last weekend.
More than 250 foreign and Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in the 7 October attack, according to Israel, with 94 still in Gaza
Both the Trump and Biden administrations have publicly claimed credit for pushing the agreement over the line.
The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the militant group.
The first three Israeli hostages were released after the ceasefire officially began. Hours later, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The Trump administration responded Saturday to the latest hostage release amid the ceasefire between Israel and militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, seemingly taking credit after four Israeli female soldiers were freed. “Today the world celebrates as ...
Hamas militants handed over four captive female Israeli soldiers to the Red Cross in Gaza City on Saturday after parading them in front of a crowd. Israel followed with the release of the first 70 of 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees due to be set free as part of the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.