A set of images shows four Israeli soldiers—Karina Ariev, Naama Levy, Liri Albag, and Daniela Gilboa—who were captured from their army base in southern Israel during the deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. These undated pictures were provided by the group Bring Them Home Now. Reuters
Hamas is set to release four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday, marking a second exchange of hostages under a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza. This release is part of a broader deal to bring an end to the 15-month-long conflict, with a group of Palestinian prisoners being freed in exchange for the soldiers.
The soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—were abducted by Hamas fighters on October 7, 2023, when their observation post on the Gaza border was overrun. During this attack, Hamas fighters captured them and took them to Gaza. The exchange agreement is part of a ceasefire that has brought a halt to fighting for the first time in over a year.
Hamas has announced that 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 120 serving life sentences and 80 with other long-term sentences, will be freed as part of this swap. This follows the first exchange that took place under the ceasefire agreement on Sunday, where Hamas handed over three Israeli civilians in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. This was seen as the first positive step in months of negotiations.
The ceasefire agreement, which has been brokered by Qatar and Egypt with backing from the United States, marks the first significant halt in fighting since a short-lived truce in November 2023. In the early phase of the deal, 33 hostages, including children, women, elderly individuals, and those with health conditions, have been released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. In return, Israeli forces have agreed to pull back from some positions in Gaza.
Looking ahead, the next phase of the deal will involve negotiations over the remaining hostages, including military-aged men, as well as the further withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The region, which has seen immense destruction over the past year and a half, is in dire need of reconstruction following months of airstrikes and fighting.
The conflict began with a brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, when militants killed 1,200 Israelis and captured more than 250 hostages, who were taken to Gaza. In response, Israel launched an extensive military campaign, resulting in more than 47,000 Palestinian deaths as per local health authorities. The ongoing conflict has caused immense suffering for both sides, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
The recent exchanges offer a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing conflict, but Israel continues to monitor the situation closely. The release on Sunday of three hostages—Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher—along with the recovery of the body of an Israeli soldier missing for a decade, has brought some relief. However, Israel's government reports that 94 Israelis and foreigners remain in Gaza, with the fate of many still uncertain.
As the ceasefire continues, both sides are expected to work toward further agreements. The hope is that this exchange could pave the way for a more lasting resolution to the long-running conflict, allowing for the rebuilding of Gaza and providing relief to the people on both sides of the divide.
