Hamas released four Israeli hostages in Gaza early Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners to be released later in the day. This was the second release that took place as Part of the ceasefire agreement It started last weekend.
A large crowd gathered in Palestine Square in northern Gaza to witness the handover of the hostages to the Red Cross. A number of armed Hamas fighters in uniform gathered for the release, surrounding a podium displaying Hamas slogans. Drones could be seen dropping small packages, which Israeli media reported were candy, into the crowd.
Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Nama Levy, 20; and Liri Albagh, 19, were captured by Hamas' October 7, 2023 A terrorist attack This ignited the Israel-Gamas war. About 1,200 people have died in Israel, and more than 47,000 have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas Health Ministry.
Four soldiers were abducted from the Nahal Oz military base, on the border with Northern Gaza, when Palestinian militants overran it on October 7.
On the eve of the release, members of the Red Cross were brought up on the podium in Palestine Square, where they signed documents together with Hamas fighters.
Four Israeli women arrived at the square in cars. They appeared in military-style uniforms and were ushered up to the podium where, smiling, they made grand gestures and waved to the crowd. They then boarded Red Cross vehicles and began their journey from Gaza.
Abed hajjar / ap
In Tel Aviv, crowds gathered to celebrate the return of hostages to Israel after 476 days of captivity.
More than 60 other soldiers died at the Nahal Oz base in the October 7 attacks, and another soldier from the same unit was taken hostage, although she was not included in Saturday's release.
Lira Albago's family said she was able to pass messages to them through other hostages who had been released earlier.
Before today's release, seven Israeli women were believed to be in Gaza, including five IDF service members and two civilians. One of the civilians is Arbel Yehud, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz nir Oz.
Another Israeli civilian A strong drinkwho was taken with his two young children Ariel and Kfir. Hamas claimed that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir were later killed in Israeli bombings in Gaza.
Ariel Shalit / OP
In a television interview in June, then-Israeli minister Benny Gantz said the government knew what had happened to Bibas's family, but said he could not provide details.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement and the hostage release treaty, the civilian hostages had to be released before the soldiers, and Yehud is expected to be among the four released on Saturday.
“Hamas has not fulfilled its obligations to first release the Israeli women civilian hostages under the agreement,” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a statement after the release. “We are determined to return Arbel Yehud, an Israeli citizen abducted from Nira Oz, as well as Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfir and Ariel, whose welfare we are extremely concerned about. We appreciate and thank the efforts of all international mediators, the United States, Qatar and Egypt .
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said the exchange of Palestinian prisoners would go ahead, but that people in Gaza would not be allowed to cross the Netarim Corridor.
“Today, Israel received four kidnapped female soldiers from the terrorist organization Hamas, and in return will release security prisoners according to the SET key,” – said the message of the Prime Minister of Israel. “According to the agreement, Israel will not allow the passage of Gazans north of the Gaza Strip – until the exit of citizen Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to exit today.”
Maya Alleruzzo/AP
Al Jazeera reported that a senior HAMAS official said Yehoud would come out next Saturday.
200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel are expected to be released later on Saturday, including 121 lifers. They are expected to be sent to Gaza, Egypt and potentially other countries in the region.
After Saturday's exchange, Israeli troops are expected to begin withdrawing from the Central Road, which divides northern and southern Gaza from east to west, called the Netzarim Corridor. Palestinian civilians who were Excluded from northern Gaza They should then be able to go back, although at this stage of the ceasefire they will only be allowed to make their way on foot.
Some displaced Palestinians who were able to return to their homes in the south after the first hostage and prisoner exchange last weekend found nothing but rubble and in some cases only the skeletal remains of loved ones killed in the fighting.
A Israel-Gamas ceasefire and hostage release deal It is expected to happen in phases, with each phase being conducted during the phase that comes before it.
Jehad Alshrafi / AP
The first phase, which began last Saturday, involves HAMAS releasing 33 hostages within six weeks. They include women, children and hostages over the age of 50, according to the CBS News project.
On the first day of the deal, Hamas released three hostages. On the seventh day – that's today – the four hostages were released.
After that, Hamas is expected to release three hostages taken from Israel every seven days, starting with the living and then moving on to return the bodies of those who died.
The first phase of the deal is also expected to release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israel.