Hamas Frees Four Israeli Soldiers: What We Know

Hamas militants have handed over four female Israeli soldiers to the Red Cross in a prisoner swap, part of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Newsweek has contacted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for comment.

Why It Matters

The continued prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas, which includes Israel's release of 200 Palestinian prisoners, suggests the fragile ceasefire in Gaza is still holding.

What To Know

On Saturday, the IDF released footage of the four women being handed over to the Red Cross. The soldiers had been held captive since October 7, 2023, following Hamas' rampage on southern Israel, which preceded Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy formed the second group of Israeli hostages to be released under the terms of a ceasefire deal. Flanked by Hamas militants, the four Israeli soldiers smiled and waved from a stage in Gaza City's Palestine Square before being led off to Red Cross.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for Israel's army, confirmed that the released hostages were in Israeli hands, but he criticized the public display of the women by Hamas before their release. He added that Israel would not forget the 90 hostages—including women, children and elderly men—who remain in Hamas captivity.

The four soldiers were taken from Nahal Oz base near Israel's border with Gaza when Palestinian militants overran it.

A crowd cheered in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square as they watched the release unfold on a giant screen. Relatives of Albag said they felt relief and happiness after seeing her release, the Times of Israel reported.

Egypt's state-run Qahera TV said that Israel had released 70 Palestinian prisoners into Egypt under the ceasefire deal, with the group arriving at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip.

On Saturday, Israel is expected to release a total of 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees, 70 of whom are set to be sent into exile.

Israel has said Palestinians who have been convicted of killing Israelis should be permanently deported if freed under the deal and would not be allowed to return to homes in the West Bank or Gaza.

What People Are Saying

The family of released Israeli soldier Karina Ariev said in a statement: "Our hearts are filled with immense gratitude and happiness. After 477 long and harrowing days of pain, worry and endless anxiety, we were finally able to hug our beloved Karina."

The family of released Israeli soldier Liri Albag said in a statement: "A sense of relief and happiness envelops us after 477 long and unbearable days of nerve-wracking waiting. We were finally able to see Liri, hug her and know that she is with us, in her safe place, surrounded by the love of her family … Liri showed superpowers and survived hell, and we are so proud of her for her steadfastness in the impossible conditions."

What Happens Next

Israel has said Palestinians who had been hoping to return to homes in the north would not be allowed to do so until plans are made for civilian hostage Arbel Yehud to be returned. She is due to be released next Saturday, Reuters reported.

What will happen after the ceasefire's initial six-week phase remains uncertain, although there is hope that it will mean the end of a war that has leveled wide swathes of Gaza, displacing most of its population.