January 25, 2025
Hamas to release 4 Israeli hostages as part of ceasefire deal
The Hamas terrorist group said Karina Ariv, 20; Daniela Gilboa, 20; Naamah Levy, 20; And Liri Albagh, 19, will be released on Saturday as a ceasefire deal with Israel calls for the release of 33 hostages held in Gaza as well as dozens of Palestinians in Israeli detention.
All four women on the Hamas list are observation soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and were abducted from their base in Selle Oz during Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israeli officials complained that the list published by Hamas militants violates the terms of the agreement, Israeli Channel 12 reported. But after consultation with military and intelligence leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly decided to move forward with the list.
Hamas told mediators it remained committed to the deal, and that the four Israel Defense Forces soldiers would be released on Saturday.
The ceasefire agreement called for civilian women to be released ahead of military personnel.
Arbel Yehud, one of the last female civilian hostages believed to still be alive, is held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, not Hamas.
Hamas is considered a terrorist group by the US, Germany, Israel and many other countries.
km, rc/wd (Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa)
