Hamas announced it will free four female Israeli hostages on January 25 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners that Israel will release on the same day. It is the second round of prisoner exchanges since the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Taher al-Nunu, a Hamas spokesman, confirmed the news to AFP, saying that the group would release four female detainees in return for a second batch of Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas has not disclosed the names of the hostages set for release this weekend.
Female Hostages Yet to Be Released
The Times of Israel reports that seven female hostages are left from the 33 that were supposed to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire. The hostages include Arbel Yehud (29), Shiri Silberman Bibas (33), Liri Albag (19), Karina Ariev (20), Agam Berger (21), Danielle Gilboa (20), and Naama Levy (20). These hostages are yet to be released under the current ceasefire deal.
Gazans to Return to Northern Gaza
In a related development, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that Palestinians who had fled to southern Gaza at the height of the war would be allowed to return to northern Gaza, contingent on Hamas honoring the truce agreement.
Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, stated that if Hamas complies with the agreement, unarmed Gaza residents would be allowed to return to northern Gaza starting next week. Palestinians can travel by foot along the coastal road, though vehicles will require inspection by a designated private company.
Gradual Return of Displaced Gazans
On the 22nd day of the ceasefire, unarmed and displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza through Salah a-Din road. This will be Israel’s first step towards a gradual withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military conducted a “counterterrorism” operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, which is known to be a stronghold for Palestinian militant groups. The operation, carried out by the Israeli Border Police and the Israeli Security Agency, killed one person, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
