Hamas releases four Israeli soldiers amid ceasefire

Hamas handed over four female Israeli  soldiers to Red Cross officials on Saturday in Gaza, where Palestinian fighters had set up a stage for the exchange of hostages. Thousands of people gathered to witness the crucial moment.

The release was part of a ceasefire deal that had been finalized last week and went into effect last Sunday.

According to the agreement, in exchange for the Israeli military women, at least 200 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons will be freed.

Ahead of the release, several masked Hamas fighters gathered at a Palestinian square, and the hostages were escorted to Red Cross vehicles amidst a large crowd of Palestinians.

Representatives from the Red Cross and Hamas fighters signed a document before the release of the four Israeli soldiers: Karina Riev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag.

This marked the second exchange since the ceasefire, which halted the Israeli military offensive in Gaza for at least six weeks and allowed the release of dozens of Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

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The Israeli army confirmed that it received the released soldiers from the Red Cross, adding they will undergo a medical assessment. 

“The four returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF [Israeli army] special forces and ISA [security agency] forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment,” the army said in a statement.

Apart from the deal, Israel is bound to withdraw forces from the Netzarim Corridor to permit hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza. 

Israel is expected to open the Rafah border for more humanitarian aid and other supplies. 

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During the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, over 47,000 Palestinians were killed, according to the Gaza authorities, with half of the casualties being women and children.