Gaza Ceasefire: Hamas frees four hostages in public display

After 477 days of captivity, Hamas has released four additional Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire prisoner exchange arrangement as earlier reported. 

Escorted by heavily armed Hamas militants, 20-year-old Daniella Gilboa, 19-year-old Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev, who are both 20, were ushered onto a platform.

The young women, all soldiers, were seized from the Nahal Oz military post on October 7.

They stood smiling in olive green imitation military outfits in front of a banner proclaiming Palestinian triumph over “Nazi Zionism.” Similar to the previously released hostages, they carried Hamas “gift bags.”

The Red Cross took custody of the women and transferred them to the IDF, which brought them to a preliminary reception area where they were reunited with their mothers and family members. Friends watching live on Israeli television expressed their happiness at seeing the women smiling.

However, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum issued a statement emphasizing that the apparent cheerfulness might not be entirely authentic.

“Just reminding journalists covering the release of today’s round of hostages, who appear to be smiling in the pictures circulated, that medical specialists reported hostages returned in November – including small children – were drugged to keep them in a positive state upon their return,” it stated.

The transfer unfolded differently compared to last week, when Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen were handed over to the Red Cross amidst a chaotic crowd and significant delay. This time, the young women were released earlier than anticipated.

The Prime Minister’s office released a statement reaffirming its dedication to rescuing all hostages. “The Government of Israel embraces the four returnees, female soldiers of the IDF,” the statement read.

It added that while Israel would free security detainees, Gazans would not be permitted entry into the northern Gaza Strip until female civilian Arbel Yehud, who was scheduled for release today, is freed.

IDF chief spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also spoke on the matter.

“Today, we salute and embrace them and their families as they reunite just now after so long. We cannot and will not forget that 90 hostages – including women, children, and elderly men – still remain in brutal conditions in Hamas,” Hagari said.

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“We are determined to return Arbel Yehud, an Israeli citizen kidnapped from Nir Oz, and also Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfir and Ariel, whose welfare we are extremely concerned about,” he added. Hagari extended gratitude to the US, Qatar, and Egypt for their assistance.

Today’s hostages were released in return for 50 Palestinian detainees each because of their status as soldiers. Last week, it was 30 detainees per individual.

Twenty-six hostages are still slated for release in the coming weeks during the initial phase of the agreement. This includes dual American-Israeli nationals, in exchange for numerous convicted individuals, some responsible for multiple killings.

Discussions for the second stage of the Israeli-Hamas arrangement are expected to commence on day 16 of the truce.