Four Israeli Hostages Released in Gaza Swap Deal as Ceasefire Holds

JERUSALEM/CAIRO/GAZA, Jan 25 — In a significant development aimed at stabilizing the ongoing ceasefire, the Palestinian group Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday. In return, approximately 200 Palestinian prisoners were freed, marking the second phase of a prisoner swap agreement tied to the truce efforts in Gaza.

The hostages, identified as Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, were handed over during a publicized event in Gaza City. Surrounded by armed Hamas personnel, the soldiers appeared briefly before being escorted to international mediators. They were then transported back to Israeli forces.

The four women were initially captured on October 7, 2023, during a Hamas-led attack on an observation post near the Gaza border. The moment of their release was met with tears and celebration from their families, who had been watching the live broadcast at a nearby military base.

In Tel Aviv, a large crowd gathered in Hostages Square to watch the event on a giant screen. Emotional scenes unfolded as people cheered, embraced, and celebrated the news. Shortly after their release, the hostages reunited with their families and were taken to a central hospital for medical evaluations, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

A Missing Civilian Sparks Concerns

Despite the joy of the exchange, disappointment lingered as 29-year-old civilian hostage Arbel Yehud was not among those released. Yehud, abducted with her boyfriend from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 attack, had been expected to return on Saturday. Israeli officials described this as a breach of the truce agreement. Hamas, however, cited logistical reasons and assured mediators that she would be released next Saturday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza would not be allowed to return until the issue was resolved. This decision affects hundreds of thousands who had hoped to return to their homes starting Sunday. Mediators are working to ensure the truce remains intact and to resolve the situation swiftly.

Details of the Prisoner Swap

The release of the Israeli hostages coincided with the freeing of 200 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. The group included individuals convicted of involvement in attacks, some of whom had been serving life sentences. Around 70 of the released prisoners are expected to face deportation.

Buses carrying the Palestinian detainees were seen leaving Ofer Prison in the West Bank shortly after the Israeli hostages were handed over. This exchange follows an earlier phase of the agreement, during which three Israeli civilians were released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners.

The ceasefire, initiated on January 19, is the first extended truce since a short-lived agreement in November 2023. Negotiated with the involvement of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the deal aims to bring relief to both sides.

In the current phase, Hamas is releasing hostages, including children, women, the elderly, and those with medical needs, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees. Israeli forces are also scaling back their presence in Gaza. Subsequent phases will focus on releasing the remaining hostages and discussing further troop withdrawals.

Future Uncertainty

Despite the progress, 90 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli officials estimating that roughly one-third of those originally taken have died in captivity. Families of those still missing are anxious that the fragile truce could break down before their loved ones are freed.

The conflict, sparked by the October 7 Hamas attack, has claimed thousands of lives on both sides. Over 1,200 Israelis were killed during the initial assault, and more than 250 were taken hostage. In Gaza, health authorities report over 47,000 Palestinian fatalities since the conflict began. The region remains in a dire humanitarian crisis, with widespread destruction and displacement.

As both sides navigate this tense ceasefire, mediators are racing to maintain the agreement and ensure further progress in addressing the longstanding conflict.