Four Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas as part of the ceasefire deal to end over a year of fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The hostages, all females, identified as Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, were transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza on Saturday morning, who handed them over to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
Confirming the development in an X post on Saturday, the IDF said, “The four returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF special forces and ISA forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment.
“The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel.
“The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit asks everyone to respect the privacy of the returning hostages and their families.”
The military also urged the public to respect the privacy of the hostages and their families.
One of the hostages was held by the Islamic Jihad militant group, reports CNN.
Their release sparked emotional scenes in Tel Aviv, where family members, friends, and supporters gathered to watch the moment live on large screens. Many were seen crying and embracing each other while holding up placards bearing the names and photos of the freed hostages.
In exchange for the Israeli hostages, Israel is expected to release 200 Palestinian prisoners, including members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), some of whom were serving life sentences.
The exchange is taking place under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, which stipulates that Israel will release 50 Palestinian prisoners for every captured Israeli soldier and 30 for every civilian hostage.
Israeli police and Red Cross vehicles have been stationed outside Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank in preparation for the release of the Palestinian detainees.
Saturday’s exchange marks the second prisoner swap since the ceasefire took effect earlier this week. In a previous exchange, three Israeli civilians were released in return for 90 Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar and Egypt with backing from the United States, aims to bring a temporary halt to the 15-month-long conflict.
The freed hostages will be taken to a secure facility in Re’im for medical evaluations before being reunited with their families.
The conflict in Gaza was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1208 and capturing 251 others. Since then, Israel’s retaliatory campaign has led to the deaths of over 47,000 persons, the Palestine Health Ministry said.
