The Palestinian group Hamas handed over four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday as part of a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Israel. The four soldiers, dressed in Israeli military uniforms, smiled and waved on a stage at Palestine Square in Gaza City as they were handed over to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Israeli army confirmed the soldiers were transferred to its forces in Gaza before being moved to Israel. During the handover, ICRC representatives signed documentation formalizing the release. The event drew thousands of Palestinians to Palestine Square, including members of Hamas' armed wing, the Qassam Brigades. The released soldiers were identified as Liri Albag, 19, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Karina Ariev, 20, and Naama Levy, 20, all members of the Israeli army's surveillance unit at the Nahal Oz base. In exchange, some 200 Palestinian prisoners are set to be freed. The handover follows the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, halting Israel's military operations in Gaza. The onslaught, which began on October 7, 2023, has killed nearly 47,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 111,400. The three-phase ceasefire deal aims to establish sustained calm, a prisoner exchange, and eventually a permanent truce with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The conflict has resulted in widespread destruction, with more than 11,000 people missing and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice. — Agencies
