Hamas to Release Four Israeli Hostages Under Ceasefire Agreement

Hamas has named four Israeli hostages to be released on Saturday as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The Izzeldeen al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced that Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag will be freed.

This exchange is part of the ceasefire's initial six-week phase, during which Israel has committed to releasing 50 Palestinian prisoners for every female soldier freed. As a result, the release of these four hostages will coincide with the liberation of 200 Palestinian prisoners, officials confirmed.

The first exchange under this ceasefire occurred last Sunday, involving the release of three Israeli women and 90 Palestinian prisoners. The truce, brokered by Qatar and Egypt with backing from the United States, marks the first cessation of hostilities since a brief truce in November 2023.

Ceasefire Agreement Details

The ceasefire agreement outlines a phased plan:

• In the first stage, Hamas will release 33 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
• The subsequent phase will focus on negotiating the release of remaining hostages and addressing Israel's withdrawal from Gaza.

Gaza has suffered immense destruction following 15 months of conflict and Israeli bombardment, leaving large parts of the territory in ruins.

Efforts are underway to maintain the truce and facilitate further exchanges, as negotiations continue to address the region's broader challenges and humanitarian needs.