Hamas releases four Israeli women soldiers in second hostage swap under ceasefire deal

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday released four women Israeli soldiers who had been held as hostages in Gaza, handing them over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, Reuters reported.

The women were released as part of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel that came into effect on January 19, pausing a conflict that started 15 months ago. Soon after the deal was reached, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three hostages held in Gaza.

Saturday’s exchange marked the second hostage swap under the agreement.

“The four returning hostages – Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev – have crossed into Israeli territory with IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and ISA [Israeli Security Agency] Forces,” the Israeli government said on social media.

“The returning hostages are currently on their way to an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with their parents,” it added.

One of the soldiers had been held by the militant group Palestine Islamic Jihad, Reuters quoted an unidentified Palestinian source as saying.

Two hundred prisoners would be freed by the Israeli government on Saturday as part of the exchange, Reuters reported citing a statement from Hamas. It added that 70 out of the 200 prisoners would be deported outside of Gaza and…

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