Four Israeli hostages selected by Hamas will leave captivity during Saturday’s scheduled exchange under the ongoing Gaza ceasefire plan. Soldiers Karina Ariev and Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy with Liri Albag fell into Hamas’s control during the group’s October 7, 2023 assault against Israel. The swap will see 180 Palestinian prisoners freed in exchange for these hostage interactors at Israeli jails.
A second prisoner swap has commenced under the present truce after both sides conducted their first exchange involving three hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners earlier during the week. The United States collaborated with Qatar and Egypt to establish an official truce which seeks to stop a war that killed 47,200 Palestinians along with 1,200 Israeli soldiers.
During the Nahal Oz military base assault the women served as border watchers which resulted in their military detention. Security camera recordings from their imprisonment displayed them restrained with ties as they held up as soldiers asked for help. Hamas released video footage three weeks ago of the 19-year-old Albag requesting Israeli governments to secure her release.
The agreement sets a framework to exchange 33 kidnapping victims while rebuilding 1,900 Palestinian detainees during the first phase. According to Israeli authorities no released Palestinian prisoner took part in the October 7 attacks.
According to the agreement Hamas is scheduled to reveal details about the 26 remaining hostage situations including the Bibas family. Through the ceasefire process authorities seek sustainable solutions to achieve Palestinian refugees reclaiming their homes.
The recent family reunions of women like Romi Gonen along with additional hostages released weeks prior maintain strong hope for future recovery during the humanitarian situation.
