Gaza: The Hamas handed over four female Israeli soldiers to the International Red Cross on Saturday, marking a crucial step in the ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the 15-month-long conflict in Gaza.
The soldiers, held captive for 477 days, were freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The release was part of a broader prisoner swap, with Hamas expected to free 200 prisoners, including members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Before their release, the soldiers appeared on a stage in Gaza City, waving and smiling as they prepared to reunite with Israeli forces.
The exchange marks the second prisoner swap since the ceasefire began on Sunday, negotiated through months of talks led by Qatar and Egypt with support from the United States.
As part of the truce deal, Israeli forces are expected to partially withdraw from a key area in central Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza.
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