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| Karina Ariyev, Naama Levi, Daniela Gilboa and Liri Albag. (Clockwise from top left) | Photo: Reuters |
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has named four more Israeli hostages to be released under a ceasefire deal in Gaza. They could be released as early as Saturday local time.
The four are Israeli soldiers Karina Ariyev, Daniela Gilboa, Naamah Levi, and Liri Albag. They were all part of a unit assigned to monitor the Israel-Gaza border.
Hamas is releasing these four hostages in exchange for the release of 180 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons, under the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Hamas came into effect last Sunday. After that, the two sides exchanged prisoners and hostages. At that time, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners. And Hamas released 3 hostages. This will be the second such exchange since the ceasefire came into effect.
The all-out war between the two sides began with a surprise attack by Hamas on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed in that attack. 251 people were taken hostage and taken to Gaza.
In response, Israeli forces launched a counterattack on Hamas in the Gaza Strip on the same day. More than 47,200 people have been killed in Gaza in the more than a year-long war, most of them civilians, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza.
It was thought that Israeli civilian Arbel Yehud's name might be on the list of hostages to be released today. However, Arbel's name is not on the list of four that Hamas has named.
Although no details were given as to why Arbel's name was not on the list, Israeli media reported that Arbel may not be held hostage by Hamas. He may be held hostage by another armed group, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
Hamas will release 26 hostages in phases over the next five weeks. Hamas is expected to announce the details soon.
Meanwhile, those being released by Israel have been held in its prisons for a long time, although the country has insisted that no one involved in the October 7 attacks will be released.