Hamas has announced the names of four Israeli female hostages who are set to be released on Saturday, after spending 477 days in captivity. The hostages, all soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), were abducted during Hamas’s brutal attack on October 7, 2023.
The four women—Liri Albag, 19, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Karina Ariev, 20, and Naama Levy, 20—were identified in a statement released by Hamas on Friday afternoon. However, their release violates the terms of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which stipulated that female civilians should be freed first, followed by female soldiers, and then elderly or critically ill prisoners.
Despite the breach, Israel decided to proceed with the release, agreeing that the violation was not significant enough to collapse the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held a high-level security meeting and determined that the agreement should continue.
The hostages are expected to be released around 4 p.m. on Saturday, although reports suggest the process could begin earlier. The release is part of a phased deal to bring back a total of 33 hostages, including civilians and soldiers, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The families of the four hostages were notified of the release, which follows a month-long process in which Israel has already freed dozens of Palestinian prisoners. In return for each female soldier, Israel will release 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 convicted terrorists.
The families of the remaining hostages are eagerly awaiting news of their loved ones’ status, with Israel set to receive details from Hamas on the conditions of the remaining 30 hostages later on Saturday. There are concerns, however, that Hamas may only provide a general update on their well-being, rather than specific information.
Israel is also expected to allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza via the Netzarim Corridor starting Saturday.
This development follows weeks of negotiations and multiple releases of hostages, including the release of three civilian women earlier this week. The situation remains tense, with a mix of relief and anxiety as Israel works to secure the return of all its citizens held in Gaza.
