The Palestinian Islamic Hamas movement on Saturday released the second batch of Israeli hostages, four women who were received by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza City.
Local eyewitnesses reported that dozens of Hamas militants and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad delivered the four hostages to the ICRC at Palestine Square in Gaza City.
The released hostages, Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, were handed over to the ICRC, according to a Hamas press statement.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) confirmed the release, stating that the ICRC has coordinated with Israeli authorities regarding the transfer. The hostages, who are Israeli army observers aged 19-20, were abducted from the Israeli army's surveillance base at Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023.
Following their release, the hostages were reunited with their families and are set to be taken to a hospital in central Israel, as confirmed by the Israeli Health Ministry.
The transfer was broadcast live on Israel's state-owned Kan TV News and other major Israeli and international media outlets. Despite being wounded during their abduction, the women appeared in good health, walking and smiling.
This release marks the second phase of a prisoner-hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel, part of a six-week ceasefire agreement reached after 15 months of intense fighting. The initial phase, which began on January 19, involved Hamas agreeing to release 33 hostages, including children and the injured, in exchange for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, aims to reduce tensions and pave the way for further negotiations. Following Saturday's release, 90 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli authorities declaring around a third of them dead in absentia.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
