 "4 more Israeli female soldiers released from Hamas prison, freedom after 477 days")
Hamas has released four Israeli female soldiers from Gaza after nearly 16 months of imprisonment. All of them are Israeli soldiers, identified as 19-year-old Leary Alabag, 20-year-old Daniela Gilboa, 20-year-old Karina Ariv and 20-year-old Nama Levy. She was among seven female soldiers who were kidnapped by Hamas during an attack on the Nahal Oz base on 7 October 2023. More than 1400 people lost their lives in this attack.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced that all preparations have been completed to welcome the released soldiers. The Directorate of Manpower and the Medical Corps have set up initial reception centres, where medical examination and assistance will be provided to these soldiers. They will then be transferred to hospitals, where they will be reunited with family and receive further care.
The release is a significant event amid the tense situation and is part of efforts to ensure the safety of the hostages, the second exchange of hostages under a cease-fire agreement between Gaza and Hamas. According to the agreement, Israel will now release a group of Palestinian prisoners, although Tel Aviv has not provided an exact number.
Hamas said 200 prisoners – expected to include members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) – would be released as part of the swap. Some of these prisoners are serving life sentences.
The IDF has announced that it has completed its preparations for the return of the hostages, coordinating initial reception points with the Manpower Directorate and the Medical Corps. There the released prisoners will be medically examined and further care and assistance in family reunification will be provided.