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Hamas to Release Four Female Israeli Soldiers: Who Are They?

Israel and Hamas continue prisoner exchanges under a ceasefire agreement, with four Israeli soldiers set for release on Saturday. The swap includes 200 Palestinian prisoners and reflects the complex dynamics of the ongoing conflict.

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Hamas to Release Four Female Israeli Soldiers: Who Are They?

Four female Israeli soldiers are scheduled for release on Saturday under the terms of the second prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. The agreement results from a three-stage ceasefire deal brokered earlier this month. The deal will see the release of Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag.

Who are the soldiers to be released?

Karina Ariev (20): Ariev was working at the Nahal Oz army base, only 1km (0.6 miles) from Gaza, when she was taken during the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023. A photo her family published in July, which Hamas provided, showed Ariev with a bandaged head, sitting alongside other captives.

Daniella Gilboa (20): Also stationed at Nahal Oz, Gilboa was featured in a video released by Hamas, pleading with the Israeli government for her release.

Naama Levy (20): Levy, who had recently begun her military service, appeared in a Hamas video shortly after her capture, showing her being forced into a vehicle.

Liri Albag (19): Albag, who acts as a lookout at Nahal Oz was said to have been hiding in a field shelter during the raid. She surfaced later in footage of captives published by Hamas.

In an apparent response, 21-year-old Agam Berger is yet to be brought home. Female soldiers three earlier were released in exchange on Sunday.

Terms of Agreement

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel has agreed to release 50 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli soldier held in Gaza and 30 prisoners for other female captives during the first phase. The second phase, scheduled for February 4, will focus on further negotiations for the remaining captives. The third and final phase will address Gaza’s rebuilding and governance.

Palestinian and Israeli Reactions

The reactions to these exchanges have been polarizing:

In the West Bank: Jubilation erupted today as 90 Palestinian prisoners—69 women and 21 children—were released earlier this week. Cheers, and hoisting free prisoners on their shoulders described the exuberance of the crowds. “All the prisoners being released today feel like family to us. They are part of us, even if they’re not blood relatives,” said Amanda Abu Sharkh, a 23-year-old observer.

In Israel: As families of Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari welcomed their freedom, many Israelis expressed outrage over what they viewed as a surrender in the Gaza war. A few West Bank settlements were hit by retaliatory attacks from angry Israeli settlers attacking villages linked to the freed prisoners.

Limitations on Palestinian Celebrations

Israeli officials have already curbed Palestinian festivities. According to reports, the police have taken down flags, seized sweets, and refused entry to anyone not in the immediate family circle. Prisoners released recently were cautioned against revealing their release date on social media or speaking to reporters. This is all part of the attempt by Israel to make the prisoner exchange not a victory.

Terms of Arrested Palestinians

There had long been complaints by Palestinians about the pitiful state of prisons in Israel. Many languish in administrative detention at the behest of Israel without ever being formally charged. Released prisoner Dania Hanatsheh explained, “You feel helpless like you can’t do anything to protect yourself.

Shatha Jarabaa, a 24-year-old woman arrested for what she wrote on social media, recalled the harsh treatment she endured: “The treatment in prison was so bad. Each prisoner had only one outfit. It was bitterly cold inside the detention center. The rain would fall on us inside the cells.”

According to a report by B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organization, the abuse in Israeli detention facilities is systemic. In its August report, Welcome to Hell, the organization accused Israel of turning its prisons into “a network of camps dedicated to the abuse of inmates as a matter of policy.”

Broader Implications of the Exchange

This exchange underscores the complex dynamics of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire. While it brings temporary relief to families, it highlights longstanding tensions and the challenging path toward peace. The upcoming phases will determine whether these exchanges can pave the way for lasting solutions or further deepen divisions.