Four Israeli women soldiers who were kidnapped by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terror attack and held in Gaza were released on Saturday morning local time. Why it matters: This was the second set of hostages released since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire came into effect a week ago.

Palestinian militant group Hamas has released four Israeli female soldiers who were held in the Gaza Strip as part of the latest ceasefire agreement, according to the Israeli military. In return,

Four women soldiers, abducted by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023 while doing their military service near the Gaza border, were released on Saturday, following more than 15 months in captivity.

There were 97 Israeli hostages – civilians and soldiers – listed in captivity when the deal was inked, but only 60 are believed to be alive.

Israeli hostages Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev and Daniella Gilboa were freed by Hamas on Saturday, while 200 Palestinian prisoners were released, Israel said.

IDF soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, held hostage by Hamas for 477 days, were released to Israel on Saturday.

Hamas handed over to the Red Cross four female Israeli soldiers it had held captive in Gaza, live TV images showed, setting up the second swap of a ceasefire under which hundreds of jailed Palestinian militants are set to go free.

Four Israeli female soldiers held captive by Hamas for 477 days were released Saturday under the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag were paraded in Gaza City’s central square before being handed over to the Red Cross and eventually reunited with their families in Israel.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, four female Israeli soldiers who had been held captive in Gaza for 15 months have returned to Israel. Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, all 20, and 19-year-old Liri Albag were first handed over to a Red Cross team in Gaza,