International Desk //

A prisoner exchange is underway in Gaza as part of a ceasefire. 4 Israeli soldiers have been released in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has released four female hostages through the International Red Cross. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the freed ones have been handed over to them.

In a statement on Saturday, the IDF said that the four returned hostages are currently returning to Israel with IDF special forces. There they will first be taken for primary treatment. BBC.

Meanwhile, an IDF spokesman has requested that everyone respect the privacy of the four hostages and their families. There, the commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces welcomed the returning hostages. They are now returning to their families in Israel.

The four female soldiers who were released are Liri Albag (19), Karina Ariyev (20), Danielle Gilboa (20) and Naama Levi (20). Israel’s state broadcaster Kan reported that they will be taken to Reim with fighters from a special military unit of the Israeli IDF.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas captured the four female members of an Israeli military surveillance unit from the Nahal Oz military base near Gaza. Hamas had previously announced the release of four female Israeli soldiers in a second round as part of the ceasefire agreement.

On the other hand, two groups of Palestinians will be released from two Israeli prisons. Once the prisoner exchange is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw from the Netzerim corridor in Gaza. This will facilitate the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza. Al Jazeera reported that Palestinian refugees were already packing their belongings and lining up outside Netzarim to prepare for the journey.

Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas agreed to a second ceasefire in Gaza last week after 15 months of conflict, brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar. The ceasefire took effect five days later at 11:15 a.m. local time on Sunday.

According to the agreement, Hamas released three Israeli prisoners in the first round that day. In return, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners. On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel.

According to Israeli government data, about 1,200 people were killed in ambushes that day and 251 were taken prisoner and taken to Gaza.

The first ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel came into effect in the last week of November of that year through diplomatic efforts. Hamas released 110 prisoners during the seven-day ceasefire. In return, Israel released more than 240 Palestinian prisoners, all of whom were women and children. A second ceasefire agreement was signed last week after nearly 15 months. Under the agreement, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinians held by Hamas in exchange for the release of 33 Israeli hostages within six weeks. Hamas is expected to release 26 more prisoners over the next five weeks.

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