Telaviv: Hamas has announced the release of four Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement. The hostages include soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag. This exchange will see the release of 180 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
Second Hostage Exchange
This upcoming release marks the second exchange since the ceasefire began last Sunday. In the initial swap, three Israeli hostages were freed alongside 90 Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire was implemented following a war that erupted after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, with 251 individuals taken as hostages.
Impact on Gaza
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 47,200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died due to Israel’s military actions. Following the upcoming exchange, Hamas is expected to share details about the remaining 26 hostages who will be released over the next five weeks. Among them is the Bibas family, including two parents and two children, one of whom was just 10 months old at the time of capture.
Serious Charges Against Released Prisoners
The Palestinian prisoners set to be released this time have more serious charges than those freed in the first exchange. Some of them have been convicted of murder and are serving sentences longer than 15 years. However, Israel has emphasized that no individuals involved in the October 7 attacks will be released.
Background of the Hostages
Ariev, Gilboa, Levy, and Albag were captured at the Nahal Oz military base, which was stormed by Hamas fighters. Video footage revealed the women bound and pleading for assistance while being taunted by their captors. They belonged to a unit responsible for monitoring the Israel-Gaza border, acting as Israel’s eyes on the border, yet their warnings went unheeded.
Calls for Government Action
Three weeks ago, Hamas released a video of Albag, aged 19, urging the Israeli government to negotiate a deal for their release. The ceasefire came about after months of indirect negotiations led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
Future Ceasefire Stages
The ceasefire plan is structured in three phases. The second stage is set to start six weeks into the truce, with around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released in exchange for 33 hostages. Israeli forces will also begin to withdraw from Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.
Continuing Hostage Situation
Despite these developments, 91 hostages captured on October 7 remain in Gaza. Of these, Israel believes that 57 are still alive. Among the remaining captives, three have been held for over a decade, with two confirmed alive. The ongoing situation remains tense, as the ceasefire aims for a lasting resolution to the conflict in Gaza.
