Israeli hostages
Four hostages released in Gaza and returned to Israel
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Terrorists kidnapped the soldiers from Israel more than 15 months ago during the Hamas massacre. Now they are being released – in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The Islamist Hamas has released four more hostages in the Gaza Strip. The four young soldiers were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in the morning and shortly afterwards taken to their homeland by Israeli soldiers. They are Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev and Daniella Gilboa, they are between 19 and 20 years old. Islamist terrorists kidnapped the four on October 7, 2023 during Hamas’ attack on Israel that left around 1,200 dead.
The women were brought to Israel by a special army unit. You should first be examined by a doctor and also meet your parents directly. The plan was then to continue the journey to a clinic near Tel Aviv, where other relatives were waiting.
Before seeing the 20-year-old again, the Levy family said they were “overjoyed and deeply moved.” “Our hearts go out to the families who are still waiting for their loved ones,” they added.
Dozens more hostage in Gaza
The release comes as part of a six-week ceasefire agreement that came into force on Sunday. Almost a week ago, Hamas released three abducted civilians. The soldiers now released are the second group of hostages to be released. 90 people abducted from Israel are now being held in the Gaza Strip, of which, according to Israeli information, more than 30 have been declared dead.
In the coming weeks, the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, another 26 hostages are to be released. According to the ynet news site, eight of them are believed to no longer be alive.
The agreement requires Israel to release 50 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons for every soldier, including 30 people serving life sentences. In total, 200 Palestinian prisoners are to be released in exchange for the women. Some are sent abroad under the agreement because of their serious crimes.
Martial Hamas performance – hostages smiled when released
Armed and masked Hamas fighters handed the four smiling soldiers over to Red Cross representatives in a square in the city of Gaza. Before they boarded Red Cross vehicles, they were led onto a stage to wave to the crowd. It was unclear whether the women acted of their own free will or under threats. After a few minutes the convoy left the square.
Rejoicing in Tel Aviv – but also disappointment from relatives
In Tel Aviv, numerous people were waiting for news of the hostages’ release. Cheers erupted as the long-awaited news arrived. Many of those gathered wore T-shirts that read “You are not alone” – also a message to the remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip.
The joy over the release of the four female soldiers was mixed with the disappointment of the affected families that they would have to wait even longer for their own relatives. The newspaper “Haaretz” quoted from a letter from the Bibas family that their world collapsed when referee Bibas and her two small sons were not listed when the names of the hostages to be released were published.
Army spokesman urges return of civilian hostages
In a speech, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari insisted on the return of the family, who also have German citizenship, as well as another civilian who is also reportedly a German citizen. Hamas violated the agreement by initially releasing the female soldiers, he said. There is great concern for the family with the two little boys.
“The Israeli government welcomes the four returnees,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in an initial statement.
90 Israeli hostages still in the Gaza Strip
Three more abductees are expected to be released in a week. In return, it was agreed that Israel would release 1,904 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons for the total of 33 hostages.
It is also planned that Hamas and Israel will negotiate further steps in the coming weeks. The aim is the complete withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip and the release of the last remaining hostages. If both sides fail to reach an agreement, the war could continue.
The Gaza war broke out after the attack on Israel by Hamas and other terrorist groups in October 2023, with around 1,200 deaths and more than 250 people kidnapped from Israel. Large parts of the Gaza Strip inhabited by the Palestinians lie in rubble and ash. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 47,000 people were killed. She does not say how many of them are civilians and how many are fighters.
As part of a temporary ceasefire at the end of November 2023, Hamas released 105 hostages. In return, Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners from prison.
dpa
Source: Stern

I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.