Hamas has released four more Israeli hostages today, handing over four female Israeli soldiers to United Nations officials in a public ceremony held at Palestine Square in Gaza. The handover, reported by Qatar’s Al Jazeera network, was witnessed by a large crowd of Gazans, and the soldiers appeared to be in good spirits.
As part of the deal, Israel is set to release 200 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has also released a list of Palestinian detainees who are scheduled to be freed from Israeli prisons.
According to Hamas, the four Israeli female soldiers released today are: Larry Albag, Karina Eref, Agam Berger, Daniel Galbua, and Nima Levi. A spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, Abu Ubaida, confirmed the release in a brief statement.
Israeli authorities are expected to announce the names of the Palestinian prisoners to be freed soon. The Palestinian Commission for Prisoners Affairs confirmed that the Red Cross will begin inspecting prisoners at Ofer prison early Saturday morning, with their release expected between 10:00 and 11:00 AM local time.
This release follows a similar exchange that took place on January 20, 2025, when Hamas secured the release of 90 Palestinians, including 69 women, in exchange for three Israeli hostages. Following the ceasefire agreement, Gazans spent their first night without fear of Israeli attacks.
The Israeli Prison Service confirmed the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners, including 69 women and 21 children, as part of the prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel.
The ceasefire agreement also included a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza. Additionally, the deal allows for daily shipments of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including 50 trucks of fuel and 300 trucks directed to the northern region, where conditions are particularly dire.
In related developments, the Israeli military confirmed that Hamas had handed over three Israeli prisoners to the Red Cross. The prisoners were then transferred to an Israeli military unit in Gaza for medical examinations and will eventually be reunited with their families.
The Red Cross, under tight security, is overseeing the transfer of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody. Among the 90 Palestinians being released today are 69 women and 21 children.
This exchange is part of the broader ceasefire agreement, which includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
