Hamas Releases Israeli Soldiers in Prisoner Swap
Hamas militants released four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday as part of a prisoner exchange deal linked to the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza. The exchange was mediated by the Red Cross, which oversaw the handover in Gaza City before the hostages were transported back to Israel.
The four soldiers, Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19, were captured on October 7, 2023, during Hamas’ attack on Nahal Oz Base near the Gaza border. Their release was met with celebrations in Tel Aviv, where thousands gathered to witness the moment live on big screens in Hostages Square.
Emotional Reactions in Israel and Gaza
The freed soldiers appeared on stage in Palestine Square in Gaza City, smiling and giving thumbs-up gestures before being escorted to waiting Red Cross vehicles. Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, hundreds of people cheered as the live broadcast showed them being handed over.
A Tel Aviv resident, Aviv Bercovich, described the moment as overwhelming, saying he had goosebumps watching the release and hoped for an end to the war.
Israeli officials later confirmed that the soldiers had been successfully returned and were receiving medical and psychological care.
Details of the Prisoner Exchange
As part of the deal, Israel was set to release 200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees later in the day. According to a list released by Hamas, the prisoners include 121 individuals serving life sentences for attacks against Israelis and 70 others who will be expelled from Gaza and the West Bank, though their destination remains unclear.
Among the high-profile Palestinian prisoners being released are Mohammad Odeh, 52, and Wael Qassim, 54, who were accused of planning deadly Hamas attacks in the early 2000s, including the 2002 Hebrew University bombing that killed nine people, five of whom were American citizens.
Background on the Captured Soldiers
The four freed Israeli soldiers were part of a unit of lookouts monitoring threats along the border. They were captured when Hamas militants overran the Nahal Oz base, killing more than 60 Israeli soldiers.
A fifth soldier, Agam Berger, 20, was also abducted from the same unit but was not included in this exchange. Her continued captivity remains a source of concern among her family and friends, who are anxiously waiting for her return.
Israel Prepares to Receive Hostages
Israel’s military issued a statement confirming that preparations had been completed to receive the released hostages. The soldiers were transported to medical centers for check-ups before being reunited with their families.
In a televised statement, Israel’s army spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, confirmed that the freed hostages were in Israeli hands and on their way home. He criticized Hamas for parading the young women in public before their release, calling it a cynical display.
Hagari also expressed concerns over the fate of the youngest Israeli hostages, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, and their mother, Shiri, who remain in Hamas captivity. Kfir Bibas marked his second birthday while in captivity earlier this month.
What’s Next in the Ceasefire Deal
Following the exchange, Israel is expected to begin pulling back from the Netzarim corridor, an east-west road that effectively divides Gaza in two. The withdrawal will allow displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza to return to their homes in the north for the first time since the war began.
Movement restrictions will remain in place, with Palestinians only allowed to travel north on foot, while vehicular traffic will be restricted until later in the ceasefire. The Hamas-run interior ministry has announced that displaced Palestinians will be permitted to return to northern Gaza starting Sunday.
Uncertainty Over the Future of the Ceasefire
While the current ceasefire agreement spans six weeks, its long-term outcome remains uncertain. Many hope that the ongoing truce will lead to an end to the war, which has caused widespread destruction in Gaza, displaced a large portion of the population, and left hundreds of thousands at risk of famine.
The conflict began with a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of around 250 hostages.
More than 100 hostages were freed in a previous ceasefire agreement, but dozens remain in captivity, with Israel estimating that at least a third of the more than 90 captives still held in Gaza were either killed in the initial attack or have died in captivity.
While celebrations took place in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square after the four soldiers were released, many families remain concerned about those still in captivity.
A family friend of Agam Berger, the soldier who remains in Hamas’ custody, expressed the pain of waiting, saying that while they were happy for those released, they continued to hope for the safe return of all remaining hostages.
The war has been one of the deadliest and most destructive conflicts in recent decades, with over 47,000 Palestinians killed, according to local health officials. More than half of the fatalities are reported to be women and children, though exact figures remain disputed.
As the ceasefire continues, international mediators are closely watching whether both sides will adhere to the agreement and if further hostage exchanges will take place in the coming weeks.
