In a significant development today, four Israeli female soldiers were released by Hamas, marking the second hostage exchange under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza. The women, who had been held captive since October 7, 2023, were brought out in military uniforms, made to stand on a podium, and waved to the crowd as they were handed over to Red Cross representatives.
The four soldiers, Naama Levy, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, and Karina Ariev, were captured during the brutal attacks on Israel’s Nahal Oz military base, located about a kilometer from the Gaza border. The release took place amidst an emotional gathering in Israel, with families and supporters shedding tears of joy as they reunited with the hostages at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.
The soldiers’ release follows an announcement by Hamas on Friday, which confirmed their intention to free the women as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal. The women had been taken hostage during the October 7 assault, which saw widespread violence in Israel. Among them, Naama Levy’s video showing her bruised and bloodied went viral, while Daniella Gilboa was limping due to injuries sustained during the attack.
For Liri Albag, the hostage crisis began just a day and a half after starting her military service. Karina Ariev had only briefly spoken to her family before being captured, and a video released by Hamas showed her with a bandaged head.
In return for the women’s release, Israel is expected to free 200 Palestinian prisoners, as per the terms of the ceasefire agreement. This deal is seen as a stepping stone towards a more permanent resolution to the ongoing war in Gaza, following months of negotiations led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. The agreement aims to restore peace, rebuild Gaza, and bring back the bodies of deceased hostages.
Amid the celebration in Israel, displaced Gazans are confronting the aftermath of the war, returning to what remains of their homes — only rubble. Despite their hopes to rebuild, many families are left without the basic resources to even set up tents, as entire neighborhoods have been destroyed.
The ceasefire deal also sets the stage for further phases, including the return of 33 more hostages believed to still be alive, in exchange for the release of 1900 Palestinian prisoners. The final stage of the deal envisions the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of deceased hostages’ bodies.
As the ceasefire continues to hold, the international community remains hopeful for a lasting peace, even as some political figures, such as former U.S. President Donald Trump, claim credit for the deal’s success. Despite the political posturing, the release of the four Israeli soldiers has been hailed as a positive step toward ending the hostilities and offering hope for a more stable future for both Israel and Gaza.
Sources By Agencies
