Gaza ceasefire; Hamas releases four more hostages; 200 Palestinian prisoners released

TEL AVIV: Hamas has released four more female Israeli soldiers who were held hostage as part of the Gaza ceasefire. The freed women are Karina Ariev (20), Daniela Gilboa (20), Nama Levi (20), and Liri Albag (19). They were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City this morning local time. The handover took place in the middle of a crowd at a specially prepared platform.

The Israeli army took them to the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv. They were on duty at an observation post on the Gaza border and were kidnapped by Hamas during a terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. Israel has released 200 Palestinian prisoners. A woman named Arbel Yehud (29) was supposed to be released today, but Hamas withdrew at the last minute. The reason was not specified. Israel accused Hamas of violating the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Palestinians in Gaza would not be allowed to return to the northern territories without Arbel's release. Hamas said Arbel is alive and would be released next Saturday.

Three first

• This is the second release since the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect on the 19th. Three women were released first
• Israel had previously released 90 Palestinians
• Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages during the six-week ceasefire
• The second phase of the ceasefire will begin if the talks are successful

Israel delaying troop withdrawal: Lebanon

BEIRUT: The Lebanese army says Israel is delaying its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The Israeli army was supposed to completely withdraw from southern Lebanon tomorrow, the 60th day of the ceasefire with Hezbollah.

However, Israel had announced that the withdrawal would not be completed tomorrow. Israel claims that the Lebanese army has not fulfilled the conditions and that the withdrawal will continue with the coordination of the US, the mediator.