Palestinian prisoners were released after four Israeli female soldiers were freed in Gaza and taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, in two helicopters. The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel was achieved after 15 months of intense fighting, thanks to the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
Israeli authorities released 200 Palestinian prisoners as part of the second phase of a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas. Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy were handed over to the ICRC in Gaza, according to a statement from Hamas.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) confirmed the release of the four captive Israeli military women. In a joint statement, they mentioned that the ICRC notified the Israeli side of the transfer of the hostages by Hamas.
The four military guards, aged between 19 and 20, were kidnapped by Hamas at the Israeli Army observation post in Nahal Oz on October 7, near the Gaza border. Local witnesses reported that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants handed over the hostages to the ICRC at the Palestinian Square in Gaza City.
Abdullah Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, stated that the prisoners were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Some prisoners were released in the West Bank from Ofer prison, while others were released from the Negev prison in southern Israel.
The transfer of hostages from Hamas to the ICRC in Gaza was broadcast live by media outlets such as Israeli state television Kan TV News. The released women, injured during the kidnapping, appeared to be in good health as they walked and smiled.
The release of hostages is part of the second phase of a prisoner exchange for abductees between Hamas and Israel, under the ceasefire agreement. The first phase of the ceasefire began on January 19. Palestinian officials in Ramallah coordinated the release, and the prisoners were taken to a medical center in the city for their release. According to the Palestinian Authority for Prisoner Affairs, 200 prisoners were released, including some with life sentences and others with long sentences. Some will be deported abroad, while others will remain in Egypt.
