Hamas Released Four Female Israeli Soldiers Under Its Captive
Hamas released four Israeli captives to Israel today. The released hostages were four Israel Occupation Force (IOF) soldiers. The four appeared to be in healthy condition and carried a goody bag like the first three hostages.
The female soldiers are released in exchange of 200 Palestinians held as captives in Israeli prisons. Reportedly, Israel will deport 70 of the said Palestinians out of Gaza and West Bank.
After the exchange of hostages to each other, IOF are to withdraw from Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor, paving the way for displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in the north of the enclave.
Israeli military said that it had received the four female soldiers. They were taken to Israeli military and Shin Bet personnel in Gaza, as per media report.
“On their return to Israeli territory, they will undergo an initial medical assessment”, IOF said about the released hostages.
The hostages were appeared at a podium in the Gaza City. They were handed over amidst huge celebratory mood, as the Palestinians rejoiced. The Palestinians can move back to their homes in northern Gaza.
Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary reported that in less than 24 hours, Palestinians can start moving north.
At the same time, Israel said that it will not allow Palestinians to move back to northern Gaza as it had agreed before. IOF claimed that they will not allow the Palestinian civilians to return until issue of the release of female civilian captive Arbel Yehud, who it had been expecting to be released today, is resolved, reported Al Jazeera.
IOF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari accused Hamas of failing to meet all hostage release conditions. He said all women civilian hostages were to be released first. IOF believe that there are still female civilian hostages under Hamas captivity.
Addressing the release of the four soldiers, in a video statement released, Hagari said that while “we salute and embrace” the released soldiers and their families as they reunite, “we cannot and will not forget the 90 hostages, including women, children and elderly men” still in captivity in Gaza.
