The IDF stated that the Red Cross had informed the military that the hostage soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag were handed over to them by Hamas.

The Red Cross was then in the process of transporting the hostages to IDF and Shin Bet forces within the Gaza Strip, according to the military.

The IDF soldiers carried “gift bags” given to them by Hamas.

The soldiers were taken from the stage straight into the Red Cross vehicles.

Israel is set to free 200 Palestinian prisoners later in the day as part of a deal with Hamas.

Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag were the four hostages, who were released.

Hamas on Friday, January 24, announced the names of four Israeli women soldiers to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in the second swap under the ceasefire deal in Gaza.

In the six-week first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, Israel agreed to release 50 Palestinian prisoners for every female soldier released, officials have said. That suggested that 200 Palestinian prisoners would be released in return for the four.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal to halt fighting in Gaza and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an official briefed on the deal told Reuters on Wednesday, opening the way to a possible end to a 15-month war that has upended the Middle East on January 15.

Israel launched the war following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, when militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to health authorities there.

Read more

After celebrations, displaced Gazans return home to destruction

Israel retains right to resume Gaza fighting, says Netanyahu

Israel’s cabinet approves ceasefire with Hamas, hostage release set for Sunday