STORY: :: WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Hamas released on Friday the names of four Israeli female soldiers held as hostages who are set to be released in the second swap under the ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag, would be released on Saturday, the group said.
:: October 7, 2023
This graphic video was captured when the four were taken hostage on October 7, 2023.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the list had been received from the mediators and the exchange is expected to begin in the afternoon.
:: January 20, 2025
Israel has agreed to release 50 Palestinian prisoners for every female soldier released, officials have said.
That suggests that 200 Palestinian prisoners would be released in return for the four.
Israeli media reported that the list of hostages slated for release was not in line with the original agreement, though it’s unclear if that will impact the planned exchange.
Three Israeli women and 90 Palestinian prisoners were exchanged last Sunday, the first swap in more than a year.
Israel said 94 Israelis and foreigners remain held in Gaza after the first release.
The ceasefire agreement was worked out after months of on-off negotiations brokered by Qatar and Egypt and backed by the United States.
It has since halted the fighting for the first time since a truce that lasted just a week in Nov. 2023.
#Hamas #names #Israeli #female #soldier #hostages #set #freed
