Hamas releases 4 Israeli female soldiers, captive for 477 days as part of Gaza truce
The soldiers are being released as part of a prisoner swap deal, where Palestinian prisoners will be freed in exchange.
PTC News Desk: Iran backed militant group Hamas has released four female soldiers to the International Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday as part of a truce agreement in Gaza.
The soldiers, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, had been held for 477 days. Before the transfer, the women appeared on a stage set up by Hamas in a square in Gaza City. They were dressed in military-style uniforms and carried bags provided by their captors.
The soldiers are being released as part of a prisoner swap deal, where Palestinian prisoners will be freed in exchange. This is part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the 15-month-long war in Gaza.
The soldiers had been stationed at an observation post near Gaza and were captured by Hamas during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. One of them was held by Islamic Jihad, according to a Palestinian source cited by Reuters.
Hamas has stated that 200 prisoners will be released on Saturday as part of the exchange, including members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), with some serving life sentences.
This will be the second exchange since the ceasefire began on Sunday. Previously, Hamas released three Israeli civilians in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners.