Four female Israeli soldiers were released by Hamas today. They were brought in military uniform and made to stand on a podium and wave. They were handed over to Red Cross members and the vehicle has now left Gaza with the hostages.
Hamas had mentioned on Friday that they would release the four Israeli women soldiers who had been held hostage since October 7, 2023. This is the second exchange under the ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza.
All four were taken captive from Nahal Oz military base, about a kilometre away from the Gaza border.
Naama Levy, 20
Her video circulated on social media right after abduction. It showed her bruised and cut, her trousers stained with blood, with her hands tied. She was being pushed into a vehicle by a gunman.
Daniella Gilboa, 20
She was wounded during the attack on October 7th, and appeared limping during the capture. In a video released by Hamas last year, she appealed angrily to the government to work for her release.
Liri Albag, 19
She was taken hostage just a day and a half after beginning her military service. Hamas had released her video as well, reading a message and appealing for her release.
Karina Ariev, 20
She could only speak briefly with her parents before being taken away. Soon after, a video of was released by the Hamas which showed her with a bandaged head with blood stains.
Per the plan, post the release of the four Israeli women soldiers, Israel should free a group of 200 Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israeli jails, according to Reuters.
This fragile deal is set to build the foundation for a permanent end to the war in Gaza.
After the ceasefire announcement, many displaced Gazans tried to go back home after more than a year of incessant war, but they only found rubble in place of where the houses once stood.
“Even if we thought about returning, there is no place for us to put our tents because of the destruction,” Theqra Qasem, a displaced woman, told AFP.
The ceasefire announcement has been made a reality through the efforts of three countries: Qatar, Egypt and the United States after months of negotiation. However, Donald Trump claimed full credit for the ceasefire deal, “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November”, as he posted on his Truth Social account.
According to the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire deal, 33 hostages Israel believes are still alive should be returned in exchange for 1900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
A more permanent end to the war is expected in the next phase of the war, and the last phase should see the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of the bodies of dead hostages.