Hamas frees 4 female Israeli soldiers as part of Gaza ceasefire deal

Palestinian group Hamas handed over four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday under a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Israel, Anadolu Agency reported.

The four freed soldiers, wearing Israeli military uniforms, smiled and waved on a stage at Palestine Square in Gaza City as they were transferred to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The Israeli army confirmed that the four freed soldiers were handed over to its forces in Gaza before being transferred to Israel.

During the handover process, ICRC representatives were taken on stage to sign a document ahead of the release of the four soldiers.

Thousands of Palestinians gathered at Palestine Square to witness the handover ceremony.

The four Israelis, whose names were submitted by Hamas on Friday, are Liri Albag, 19, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Karina Ariev, 20, and Naama Levy, 20. They are members of the Israeli army’s surveillance unit at the Nahal Oz base.

Some 200 Palestinian prisoners are set to be freed in exchange for the four Israeli soldiers.

Temporary truce

The first six-week phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war that has killed nearly 47,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 111,400 since Oct 7, 2023.

The three-phase ceasefire agreement includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The Israeli onslaught has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

- Bernama

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