Hamas Releases Hostages Under Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Hamas Names Next Israeli Hostages Set to Be Released

Hamas has identified four Israeli hostages set to be released on Saturday as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. These individuals, soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, were captured during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

Their release comes in exchange for 180 Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails, marking the second prisoner exchange since the ceasefire took effect. In the first swap, three Israeli hostages were exchanged for 90 Palestinian prisoners.

Background on the Gaza Ceasefire

The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, aims to halt a war that has devastated both sides. The conflict began when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages to Gaza.

Since the war’s onset, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that 47,200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died in Israel’s military offensive.

The ceasefire agreement outlines three stages:

Hostage-Prisoner Swaps: A total of 1,900 Palestinian prisoners will be exchanged for 33 Israeli hostages during the first stage.
Israeli Troop Withdrawal: Forces will withdraw from Gaza.
Displaced Palestinians’ Return: Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians will return to their homes.

The long-term goal of the truce is a permanent end to the war.

Details of the Hostages and Prisoners

Israeli Hostages

Ariev, Gilboa, Levy, and Albag were captured during the Hamas assault on the Nahal Oz military base. Footage from the attack shows them tied up and pleading for help while being taunted by their captors.

Liri Albag, 19, appeared in a Hamas-released video three weeks ago, urging the Israeli government to negotiate for their release.

Palestinian Prisoners

The prisoners set to be released on Saturday are from a more serious category compared to the first exchange. Some have been convicted of killings and are serving sentences exceeding 15 years. However, Israel has stated that no individuals involved in the 7 October attacks will be included in the releases.

Next Steps in the Ceasefire Agreement

Hamas is expected to provide details about the remaining 26 hostages scheduled for release over the next five weeks. This includes the Bibas family, whose youngest member, Kfir Bibas, was just 10 months old at the time of his capture.

The second phase of the ceasefire, set to begin six weeks into the truce, will focus on the release of additional hostages, including male captives, and the continuation of Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza.

Impact of the Ceasefire

The ceasefire provides a glimmer of hope for families awaiting the return of loved ones. However, concerns remain about the fate of the 91 hostages still held in Gaza, with only 57 assumed alive.

The truce also seeks to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where widespread destruction and displacement have left 2.3 million people struggling to access basic necessities like food, fuel, and medical supplies.