Hamas gunmen deliver four Israeli soldiers

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Four Israeli soldiers kept captive by Hamas have returned to Israel after being delivered to the Red Cross personnel when the high fire agreement in the Gaza Strip entered its second week.

About 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons were also released on Saturday, according to the terms of the agreement that arrested more than 15 months of war. The truce entered into force last Sunday with the launch of three Israeli civilian hostages and 90 Palestinian detainees.

The four soldiers, Liri Albag, 19, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Karina Ariev, 20 years of Hamas on October 7, 2023 that caused the conflict. The images and video of their bloody kidnapping were broadcast last year. His freedom has become a central demand for the hostage release movement that merged around the families of which they still remained captive in Gaza.

The delivery of masked armed men from Hamas to the Red Cross took place in the Palestinian square of the city of Gaza, in the midst of a manifestation of hundreds of uniformed and armed militants and veterans.

The four Israeli women were marched through the square and towards a small stage with a banner, in Hebrew, which said “Zionism will not win.” After briefly greeting the crowd, they were aimed at red cross vehicles.

The Red Cross led the four to a transfer point where they were delivered to the Israeli special forces and intelligence agents that later returned them to Israeli territory.

According to the Israeli army, the four soldiers are at a point of reception within Israel, where they undergo medical tests and expect a meeting with their parents.

Hamas’ strength show was extended through the Gaza Strip, with white trucks full of gunmen and flying the green flag of Hamas transmitted in Arab television stations and social networks.

This second installment of the hostage prisoner launch was in doubt momentarily on Friday night after Hamas announced that four soldiers would be launched.

Israeli officials affirmed that this was a violation of the terms of the agreement that demands that civilian women still live, of which it is believed that it is in captivity, that they are released before the soldiers. However, the Israeli government decided to move forward, and it is not clear if the civilian, Arbel Yehud, will be released as part of the exchange of next week.

Daniel Hagari, Israeli military spokesman said: “We appreciate and appreciate the efforts of all international mediators. . . We hope you make sure you agree with the agreement. “

The mediators led by the United States obtained a six -week fire agreement between Israel and Hamas this month, the first stage of a complex three -stage agreement that could end the war permanently and ensure the release of the remaining 90 hostages In Hamas.

Donald Trump had warned that there would be “all hell to pay” if an agreement had not been reached before his inauguration on Monday. On Friday, the new president of the United States said: “The agreement should be maintained, but if not, there will be many problems.”

According to the terms of the agreement, the first stage consists in the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including children, women, sick and elderly, in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, hundreds of which long sentences for terrorism and murder charges. The versions will be carried out in weekly installments during the 42 days of the first stage.

During this time, Israeli troops will withdraw from populated areas in the shattered territory and displaced Palestinians will be able to return to their homes in northern Gaza from Saturday later. The humanitarian aid that enters the strip has already increased abruptly during last week.

By day 16 of the first phase, Israel and Hamas must begin to negotiate details of the second phase, during which living hostages will be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, an additional withdrawal of the Israeli forces of Gaza and a complete end of war. The final phase will imply the return of deceased hostage bodies and the beginning of Gaza’s reconstruction.