JERUSALEM/GAZA. Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers on Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners. However, tensions flared as Israel restricted access to northern Gaza over the delayed release of another hostage.
The freed Israeli soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—were abducted on October 7, 2023, during a Hamas-led attack. The soldiers, stationed near Gaza’s edge, were joyfully greeted by their families and supporters after crossing into Israel via Red Cross transport. They were later flown to a central Israeli hospital for medical evaluations.
Simultaneously, buses carrying 200 Palestinian prisoners departed from the Ofer military prison in the West Bank. According to Israel’s Prison Service, the released prisoners included individuals convicted of involvement in attacks that claimed Israeli lives. While some prisoners were deported to Egypt and other countries, others were welcomed by cheering crowds in Gaza and Ramallah, waving Palestinian flags and celebrating their release.
Ceasefire Strained by Hostage Delay
Hamas had committed to releasing an additional Israeli civilian hostage, Arbel Yehud, who remains in captivity. Israeli officials labeled the delay a breach of the truce agreement. Hamas attributed the postponement to “technical issues” and assured that Yehud would be freed in a week.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the suspension of plans to allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. The area, devastated by ongoing conflict, was set to welcome back 650,000 displaced residents under the ceasefire agreement.
“We will not facilitate the return until all terms of the truce are honored,” Netanyahu stated.
Witnesses described chaos near Gaza’s coastal road as displaced Palestinians gathered in hopes of returning north. Israeli troops fired warning shots to disperse the crowds, leading to a stampede. Medical sources reported one death and injuries to two others.
Background and Current Status
The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with U.S. backing, halted over a year of hostilities. Under the agreement, Hamas is set to release 33 hostages in the initial phase, with Israel freeing 30 prisoners for every civilian and 50 for each soldier released.
Since the October 7 attacks, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 hostages in Gaza, the conflict has claimed more than 47,000 Palestinian lives, including civilians, according to Gaza health officials. More than 400 Israeli soldiers have also died.
While 90 hostages remain in Gaza, Israeli officials have declared a third of them dead in absentia. Families of hostages fear the ceasefire may collapse before their loved ones are freed, as negotiations over remaining captives loom.
Hamas asserts it will hold the remaining hostages until a final resolution ends the war. Critics in Israel argue that resuming military action is necessary to prevent Hamas from retaining power in Gaza.
As both sides navigate the precarious ceasefire, the fate of hostages and displaced civilians remains central to the region’s fragile peace.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
