Hamas has announced plans to release four female Israeli soldiers as part of the second phase of a prisoner exchange agreement between the group and Israel, following a ceasefire.
"As part of the prisoner exchange agreement, the Al-Qassam Brigades have decided to release four female soldiers tomorrow," a spokesperson for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said on January 24.
The soldiers—Liri Albag, 19; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Karina Ariev, 20; and Naama Levy, 20—were captured during a Hamas raid on October 7, 2023, while serving in an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reconnaissance unit based at Nahal Oz.
The soldiers' families have been informed that they will reunite with their daughters at an IDF facility near the Gaza border immediately after their release. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that they had received the list of soldiers slated for release.
In exchange, Israel is expected to release a group of Palestinian prisoners, though the exact number remains undisclosed. According to Israeli security sources, some of the released Palestinian prisoners will return to Gaza, while others will go to the West Bank.
Ceasefire Agreement
The exchange is part of a three-phase ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, which took effect on January 19.
- First Phase: A 42-day period during which Hamas will release 33 hostages Israel considers alive in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
- Second Phase: Discussions on the potential for a permanent ceasefire.
- Final Phase: Focused on Gaza reconstruction and returning the remains of hostages killed in captivity.
The first phase began on January 19, with Hamas releasing three Israeli women in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and minors.
Concerns and Political Challenges
In Israel, some relatives of hostages have expressed concerns about the ceasefire's fragility. "The fear that this agreement might collapse is eating us alive," said Vicky Cohen, whose son is a hostage.
Some far-right members of Netanyahu's coalition oppose the agreement. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir withdrew his party from the coalition in protest.
Hamas official Bassem Naim stated that Palestinians displaced by the conflict in southern Gaza may soon begin returning home under the agreement's provisions, with oversight from a joint Egyptian-Qatari committee.
(Sources: AFP, AP, Times of Israel)
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