After Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released their videos of being reunited with family members after 477 days in captivity. Hamas on Saturday released four Israeli soldiers, Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19, who were captured after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack which became a major war in the region. After its launch, the four Israeli soldiers smiled and gave the thumbs up to a stage in Palestine Square. The gesture became significant as they were surrounded by armed and masked militants on both sides. Importantly, previously published hostages said they were held in brutal conditions and forced to record propaganda videos.
Although they were freed after more than a year in captivity, hundreds of people cheered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, where they were watching the drama unfold on a big-screen television.
In a post on home”.
As the excitement in Israel was palpable, television stations were filled with live reports of smiling news anchors and reporters interviewing ecstatic friends and family of the hostages.
Later, as part of the exchange agreement, Israeli authorities announced that they released 200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees on Saturday.
After the Palestinian prisoners were freed, buses carrying them left Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank toward Jerusalem and the city of Ramallah, where crowds of relatives and supporters awaited their return.
On the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement
Israel and Hamas have agreed in the first phase of the ceasefire to a gradual release of 33 hostages in Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Three hostages were released earlier during this truce in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The truce and the release of the hostages have sparked hope and fear among Israelis. Many worry that the ceasefire could collapse before all the hostages return or that those freed arrive in poor health. Others worry that the number of captives who have died is higher than expected.
Also read | Israel denies allowing Palestinians to return to northern Gaza until Hamas frees another hostage
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