Hamas to release 4 female IDF soldiers

The women will be freed as part of an Israel-Hamas ceasefire

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced that it will release four female soldiers as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel.

Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Liri Albag and Naama Levy are expected to be freed on Saturday in exchange for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 120 militants serving life sentences after being convicted of terrorist attacks. 

The four female soldiers were captured on October 7, 2023, during Hamas’ attack on the Nahal Oz baze near the border with Gaza. The deadly raid was part of a broader surprise incursion by Palestinian militants, which triggered the Israeli invasion of Gaza. 

The Israeli activists group Hostages Families Forum welcomed the planned release of soldiers, saying “an entire nation has fought for them and anxiously awaits their longed-for return to their families’ embrace.”

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“We have both a sacred duty and moral right to bring all our brothers and sisters home,” the group said.

Under the six-week ceasefire signed on January 15, the sides agreed to gradual prisoner exchanges, including the release of 33 Israeli hostages during its first phase. The first swap took place last Sunday, when three Israelis were released in exchange for 90 Palestinians. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netahyanu’s office confirmed to Israeli media on Friday that it had received the list of hostaged slated for release. It refused to reveal their identities. 

During the October 7, 2023 attack, Hamas and allied Palestinian groups killed some 1,200 Israelis and abducted more than 200 people. Around 90 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza.

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the conflict broke out.