January 25, 2025 | 08:48 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jerusalem - The Palestinian militant movement Hamas released four female Israeli soldier hostages on Saturday, in return for 200 Palestinian prisoners, in keeping with a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the 15-month-old war in Gaza.
The four were led onto a podium in Gaza City amid a large crowd of Palestinians and surrounded by dozens of armed Hamas men. They waved and smiled before being led off, entering ICRC vehicles and being transported to Israeli forces.
The soldiers - Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag - were all stationed at an observation post on the edge of Gaza and abducted by Hamas fighters who overran their base during the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Their parents clapped and cried out in joy when they saw them on screen, watching the handover live from a nearby military base across the border. In Tel Aviv, hundreds of Israelis gathered at the so-called Hostages Square, crying, embracing and cheering as it was aired on a giant screen.
They were reunited with their family soon after, according to the military and will be taken to a hospital in central Israel, the Israeli Health Ministry said. Photos published by the Israeli military showed them embracing tightly with their parents, in smiles and tears.
Buses carrying released Palestinian prisoners were seen departing from the Israeli Ofer military prison in the occupied West Bank, soon after the hostages were freed. Israel's Prison Service said all 200 prisoners have been released.
They include convicted militants serving life sentences for their involvement in attacks that killed dozens of people, according to a list published by Hamas.
Around 70 will be deported to Egypt, another 16 sent to Gaza and the remaining prisoners will be released to the West Bank, Palestinian officials said.
Residents of Jenin Displaced as Israeli West Bank Raids Continue
1 hari lalu
Since the start of the West Bank operation, 12 Palestinians have been killed and 40 more wounded, Palestinian health officials said.
Gaza Ceasefire: Residents Ready Tent Camps for Families Returning to North
1 hari lalu
Palestinians in northern Gaza prepared tent encampments for displaced families on Thursday.
Israel Kills Two Palestinians in Gaza Despite Ceasefire Deal
1 hari lalu
The initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire came into effect on January 19, 2025, bringing a temporary halt to the Israeli onslaught.
Hamas Commander Israel Claims Killed Appears in New Video
2 hari lalu
Hamas commander Hussein Fayyad, who the Israeli military claimed was killed in May, has appeared in a newly published video.
Trump Envoy Says He'll go to Gaza to Monitor Ceasefire
2 hari lalu
Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, would travel to Gaza to ensure ceasefire compliance.
Hamas Expected to Remain in Power After Gaza War
3 hari lalu
Hamas officials oversee the clearance of rubble from neighborhoods leveled by 15 months of continuous Israeli strikes.
UI Professor: Palestinian Relocation Plan to Indonesia Not in Accordance with the Constitution
3 hari lalu
Professor of international law at University of Indonesia (UI) urges Indonesian government to reject US proposal to relocate two million Palestinians.
Saudi Arabia Confident Donald Trump Will Not Worsen Risk of Iran-Israel War
3 hari lalu
Saudi Arabia believes US President Donald Trump will not exacerbate the risk of an Iran-Israel war.
Indonesia Calls on UNSC to 'Rise to Occasion' on Palestine Peace Efforts
4 hari lalu
Indonesia calls for UNSC to end the suffering of the people of Palestine, following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Gaza Residents Begin Searching for People Buried Under Rubble
4 hari lalu
Palestinians began searching on Monday, January 20, 2025, for thousands of Gaza residents believed still buried under rubble.
