On January 25, 2025, in Gaza’s Palestine Square, Hamas handed over four Israeli female soldiers held captive to the Red Cross. The released soldiers were Karina Ariv, Daniela Gilboa, Nahma Levi, and Liri Albag, who had been held by Hamas since October 7, 2023, following an attack on their surveillance post near the Gaza border.
Before their release, Hamas displayed the four captives on a stage in a square in Gaza City. The soldiers were dressed in military uniforms and held "gift bags" given to them by Hamas. They were later handed over to Israeli authorities through representatives of the Red Cross.
This release was part of a recent prisoner exchange, in which Hamas freed the four Israeli soldiers, while Israel agreed to release 200 Palestinian prisoners. The Palestinian prisoners had been serving long sentences, with many convicted of involvement in fatal attacks.
This exchange marks the first large-scale prisoner swap since a week-long ceasefire in November 2023. It is the second such exchange between Israel and Hamas, following an earlier swap last Sunday, where three Israeli citizens were released in exchange for 90 Palestinian detainees.
Future phases of this prisoner exchange plan may involve the release of more detainees, including military-aged men, and could potentially lead to a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
