Hamas frees 4 feminine Israeli troopers as ceasefire holds

Israeli feminine soldier hostages wave and react at a Palestinian crowd earlier than being handed over to the Crimson Cross in Gaza Metropolis, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. —AP Picture/Abed Hajjar

TEL AVIV, Israel — 4 feminine Israeli troopers who had been taken within the assault that sparked the struggle in Gaza returned to Israel on Saturday after Hamas militants paraded them earlier than a crowd of 1000’s in Gaza Metropolis and handed them over to the Crimson Cross. Israel later launched 200 Palestinian prisoners within the second change of a fragile ceasefire.

The 4 Israelis smiled, waved and gave the thumbs-up from a stage in Palestine Sq., with armed, masked militants on both aspect as Hamas sought to point out it remained in management in Gaza after 15 months of struggle. The hostages seemingly acted beneath duress. Beforehand launched ones stated they had been held in brutal situations and compelled to file propaganda movies.

READ: Three Israeli hostages are with Israeli forces in Gaza

Israel’s Jail Service later stated it had launched 200 Palestinians, together with 121 individuals serving life sentences after being convicted of lethal assaults in opposition to Israelis, whereas others had been held with out cost.

Hundreds of Palestinians within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution metropolis of Ramallah celebrated their arrival. Wan-looking and sporting grey jail sweatsuits, some wore Hamas headbands given to them by the group and rode on supporters’ shoulders.

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Within the deal’s first main disaster, Israel stated it might not permit displaced Palestinians to start returning to northern Gaza as had been anticipated by Sunday, as a result of a civilian hostage who was alleged to be launched, Arbel Yehoud, had not been freed.

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As mediators addressed that, lots of of Palestinians gathered close to the Netzarim hall — an east-west street dividing Gaza—ready to maneuver north.

“Why are they treating us like this?” requested one man, Khalil Abd. Households huddled within the streets round bonfires in opposition to the winter chilly.

Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man near the Netzarim hall, Palestinian medical officers stated. Israel’s army stated it fired warning pictures in response to “gatherings of dozens of suspects.” It stated it was unaware of anybody harmed and once more warned individuals to not strategy troops.

Arbel Yehoud launch

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace stated Israel wouldn’t permit Palestinians to start returning to northern Gaza till Yehoud, a civilian taken from a kibbutz in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault that ignited the struggle, was freed.

Hamas stated it held Israel accountable for “any delay in implementing the settlement and its repercussions.”

A senior Hamas official stated the group knowledgeable mediators that Yehoud will probably be launched subsequent week. An Egyptian official concerned in negotiations known as the matter a “minor subject” that mediators had been working to resolve. Each spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to debate the matter publicly.

The U.S. Nationwide Safety Council continues to push for Yehoud’s launch, a spokesperson stated.

The ceasefire started final weekend and is aimed toward winding down the deadliest and most harmful struggle ever fought between Israel and Hamas. The deal has allowed for a surge of support into tiny, devastated Gaza.

When the ceasefire began, three hostages had been launched in change for 90 Palestinian prisoners, all ladies and youngsters.

Who’re the troopers launched?

The 4 Israeli troopers, Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19, had been taken from Nahal Oz base close to the border with Gaza when Palestinian militants overran it, killing greater than 60 troopers.

The 4 squealed as they hurried to embrace family members. Hundreds of individuals danced and celebrated because the troopers arrived by helicopter close to a Tel Aviv hospital, which described them in steady situation.

“I had goosebumps watching them,” stated Aviv Bercovich in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Sq.. “I simply need the struggle to finish.”

A fifth feminine soldier of their unit, Agam Berger, 20, additionally was kidnapped. “Now she’s there alone,” stated household buddy Yoni Collins.

Gaza Metropolis resident Radwan Abu Rawiya additionally watched the handover. “That is large,” he stated. “Individuals forgot concerning the struggle, destruction and are celebrating.”

A video launched by Hamas’ armed wing confirmed the hostages thanking the militants in Arabic for the “good therapy,” once more seemingly beneath duress.

Israel’s military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari criticized the “cynical” show by Hamas. He additionally stated Israel is worried concerning the two youngest hostages—Kfir and Ariel Bibas—and their mom, Shiri. Kfir Bibas marked his second birthday in captivity this month.

Among the many Palestinian prisoners launched had been Mohammad Odeh, 52, and Wael Qassim, 54, accused of finishing up Hamas assaults in opposition to Israelis, together with a bombing at a cafeteria on the Hebrew College of Jerusalem in 2002 that killed 9 individuals, together with 5 U.S. residents.

“I’m afraid that I cannot know him when he will get out, or that he is not going to know me,” stated Rana Raef al-Farra in Gaza, who stated she was 7 when her father was sentenced 21 years in the past.

Seventy launched prisoners had been expelled to Egypt, with Algeria, Tunisia and Turkey expressing willingness to take them in, in keeping with Abdullah al-Zaghari, head of a Palestinian prisoner advocacy group.

What’s subsequent within the ceasefire

Twenty-six different hostages ought to be launched within the ceasefire’s six-week first section, together with lots of extra Palestinian prisoners. The subsequent change is subsequent Saturday.

What occurs after the primary section is unsure, however many hope it should result in ending the struggle that has displaced the overwhelming majority of Gaza’s inhabitants and left lots of of 1000’s susceptible to famine.

The Oct. 7 assault killed some 1,200 individuals, largely civilians, and took round 250 others hostage. Over 100 had been freed in a weeklong truce the next month. Israel believes not less than a 3rd of the over 90 captives nonetheless in Gaza are useless.

The struggle has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, in keeping with native well being officers, who don’t say what number of had been militants however say ladies and youngsters make up over half the useless. —AP