Hamas warns of release of Israeli soldiers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has confirmed that Israel has received from an intermediary a list of prisoners that Hamas will release the day after tomorrow, and Hamas has announced the names of four female Israeli soldiers on the list.
"We will release four Israeli soldiers on Saturday, January 25, 2025," Abu Obaida, a spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, said in a brief statement.
He said those released would be Karina Ariev (20), Danielle Gilboa (20), Naama Levy (20) and Liri Albag (19), who were captured in early October 2023 at the Nahal Oz base in southern Israel when Hamas carried out a cross-border attack. The Israeli soldiers' task was to monitor suspicious military activity.
On the first day of the ceasefire, last Sunday, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas released three Israeli prisoners.
The first phase of a six-week ceasefire in Gaza came into effect five days ago. The three-phase plan to end the conflict includes a prisoner exchange with the aim of achieving a permanent ceasefire.
The exchange envisages the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, 50 for every Israeli army soldier released by Hamas.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, 33 hostages will be released over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, reports AA.
Hamas must also present a list with the status of the 26 remaining hostages held in Gaza, who should be released in the first phase.
