Four Israeli Soldiers Released As Part Of Ceasefire Agreement

As a part of the Ceasefire Agreement, four female soldiers held hostages by Hamas since 7 October 2023, we released Saturday. The soldiers, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, all aged between 19 to 20, were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City in a carefully staged event organized by Hamas. 

The hostages were seen waving and smiling on a stage in Palestine Square before being reunited with their families in Israel shortly after their release. Their families expressed immense relief, with one describing the ordeal as "477 days in hell in Gaza."

This release was a part of the Ceasefire agreement, which also included the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Though the exchange brought relief to the families, the event was criticized for the public display of the hostages before their return. 

The Ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas begun on 19 January aiming to halt the conflict that started after the 7 October Hamas Attack. Under its terms, hostages held in Gaza were to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.