The swap for four soldiers stationed on the border of the Gaza Strip at Nahal Oz follows 15 months of captivity and a campaign by their families.
As the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held into its sixth day, the U.S.- and Israeli-designated terrorist group released the names on Friday of the next four Israeli hostages it says it will release on Saturday,
Hamas identified four female soldiers abducted from a military base as those who will be freed in the next exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Hamas has announced it would release four female soldiers held hostage for 15 months in Gaza, as part its ceasefire agreement with Israel
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has recruited between 10,000 and 15,000 members since the start of its war with Israel, according to two congressional sources briefed on U.S. intelligence, suggesting the Iran-backed fighters could remain a persistent threat to Israel.
FILE PHOTO: A combination picture shows Israeli hostages Karina Ariev, Naama Levy, Liri Albag and Daniela Gilboa, soldiers who were seized from their army base in southern Israel during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, in these undated handout pictures. Courtesy of Bring Them Home Now/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
More than 250 foreign and Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in the 7 October attack, according to Israel, with 94 still in Gaza
The cease-fire deal between the two sides is holding despite heated quarrels over key issues, Arab mediators say.
All four hostages are female Israeli soldiers. They are expected to be released Saturday in accordance with a ceasefire agreement with Israel that's halted fighting in the Gaza war since last weekend.
A new American administration appears ready to seize the opportunity that Israel created for a better Middle East and a safer world. The world will be better for it.
Israel confirmed receiving the names of four female soldiers held hostage by Hamas following the October 7 attack, who are set to be returned as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal