Four more Israeli hostages released by Hamas as ceasefire continues to hold

Hamas released four Israeli hostages in Gaza early Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners to be released later in the day. It was the second release to occur as part of the ceasefire agreement that began last weekend. Israel followed with the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners.

A large crowd gathered in Palestine Square in northern Gaza to witness the handover of the hostages to the Red Cross. A number of armed Hamas militants in uniforms gathered for the release, surrounding a podium displaying Hamas slogans. Drones could be seen dropping small packages, which Israeli media reported contained candy, to the crowd.

Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Naama Levy, 20; and Liri Albag, 19, were captured in Hamas’ Oct. 7 2023 terrorist attack that ignited the Israel-Hamas war. Around 1,200 people were killed in Israel, and over 47,000 have since been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run ministry of health.

The four female soldiers were kidnapped from the Nahal Oz military base, on the border with northern Gaza, when Palestinian militants overran it on Oct. 7. They had been serving in a lookout unit there.

The White House said in a statement on Saturday that it celebrates their release and that the United States will “continue with its great partner Israel to push for the release of all remaining hostages and the pursuit of peace throughout the region.”

Ahead of their release, members of the Red Cross were brought up on the podium in Palestine Square, where they signed documents alongside Hamas militants.

The four Israeli women arrived in the square in cars. They emerged wearing military-style uniforms and were brought onto the podium as well, where, smiling, they gave thumbs up gestures and waved to the crowd. They then got into Red Cross vehicles and began their journeys out of Gaza.

In Tel Aviv, crowds gathered to celebrate the hostages’ return to Israel after 476 days of captivity.

Over 60 other soldiers were killed at the Nahal Oz base during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, and one other female soldier was taken hostage from the same unit, though she was not included in Saturday’s release.

Liri Albag’s family has said she had managed to pass messages back to them through other hostages who had been released previously.

Before today’s release, seven Israeli women were thought to be held in Gaza, including five IDF service members and two civilians….