Publish: 08:58, 25 Jan, 2025

Hamas set to release four Israeli soldier hostages in second swap

Online Desk
Hamas set to release four Israeli soldier hostages in second swap
Photo - Collected

The Palestinian militant movement Hamas is expected to release four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday in exchange for a group of Palestinian prisoners under a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the 15-month-old war in Gaza.

The four soldiers - Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag - were all stationed at an observation post on the edge of Gaza and abducted by Hamas fighters who overran their base during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Hamas prisoners media office said it expected 200 prisoners to be freed on Saturday as part of the exchange, including 120 serving life sentences and 80 prisoners with other lengthy sentences, reports Reuters.

Saturday's exchange would be the second since the ceasefire began Sunday and Hamas handed over three Israeli civilians in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas identified on Friday the four hostages to be released in the second swap. But Israel has not commented officially and may not do so until it actually receives them.

The ceasefire agreement, worked out after months of on-off negotiations brokered by Qatar and Egypt and backed by the United States, has halted the fighting for the first time since a truce that lasted just a week in November 2023.

In the first six-week phase of the deal, Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages, including children, women, older men and the sick and injured, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, while Israeli troops pull back from some of their positions in the Gaza Strip.

In a subsequent phase, the two sides would negotiate the exchange of the remaining hostages, including men of military age, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which lies largely in ruins after 15 months of fighting and Israeli bombardment.

Israel launched its campaign in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack, 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.

After the release on Sunday of hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher and the recovery of the body of an Israeli soldier missing for a decade, Israel says 94 Israelis and foreigners remain held in Gaza, though it is unclear how many of them are still alive.

Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika

Topic

More News
29 migrants’ bodies recovered in 2 Libya locations
29 migrants’ bodies recovered in 2 Libya locations
Russian spy ship catches fire off Syria, drifts out of control
Russian spy ship catches fire off Syria, drifts out of control
US judge blocks Trump’s federal buyout plan as 60,000 sign up to resign
US judge blocks Trump’s federal buyout plan as 60,000 sign up to resign
Several US states under flooding and 'thunder ice' in winter storms
Several US states under flooding and 'thunder ice' in winter storms
4 killed as aircraft crashes in Philippines
4 killed as aircraft crashes in Philippines
All of Palestine belongs to Palestinians, says Khamenei
All of Palestine belongs to Palestinians, says Khamenei
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship
Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship
Protesters in cities across the US rally against Trump’s policies
Protesters in cities across the US rally against Trump’s policies
Swedish mass shooter was connected to school where he opened fire
Swedish mass shooter was connected to school where he opened fire
Spain rejects Israel’s suggestion to accept Palestinians from Gaza
Spain rejects Israel’s suggestion to accept Palestinians from Gaza
Latest News
Temperatures may drop in next 24 hrs
Temperatures may drop in next 24 hrs
33 minutes ago | National
29 migrants’ bodies recovered in 2 Libya locations
29 migrants’ bodies recovered in 2 Libya locations
1 hour ago | International
Russian spy ship catches fire off Syria, drifts out of control
Russian spy ship catches fire off Syria, drifts out of control
1 hour ago | International
US judge blocks Trump’s federal buyout plan as 60,000 sign up to resign
US judge blocks Trump’s federal buyout plan as 60,000 sign up to resign
2 hours ago | International
Brazil, Real Madrid legend Marcelo reties from football
Brazil, Real Madrid legend Marcelo reties from football
2 hours ago | Sports
Several US states under flooding and 'thunder ice' in winter storms
Several US states under flooding and 'thunder ice' in winter storms
2 hours ago | International
Hundreds of garment factories yet to pay December wages
Hundreds of garment factories yet to pay December wages
2 hours ago | Business
Transcom disputes bribery allegations, but questions remain
Transcom disputes bribery allegations, but questions remain
3 hours ago | Special
4 killed as aircraft crashes in Philippines
4 killed as aircraft crashes in Philippines
4 hours ago | International
Facilities for women to offer Jumma prayer at mosque in Bashundhara Block-N
Facilities for women to offer Jumma prayer at mosque in Bashundhara Block-N
4 hours ago | City
Fakhrul, Khasru, Zaima attend National Prayer Breakfast
Fakhrul, Khasru, Zaima attend National Prayer Breakfast
4 hours ago | National
A great hero of the world is now a guiding light for Bangladesh
A great hero of the world is now a guiding light for Bangladesh
5 hours ago | National
All of Palestine belongs to Palestinians, says Khamenei
All of Palestine belongs to Palestinians, says Khamenei
5 hours ago | International
Tamim to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final
Tamim to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final
15 hours ago | Sports
Chhatra Shibir honors indomitable meritorious students
Chhatra Shibir honors indomitable meritorious students
16 hours ago | City
Book Fair 2025: Turnout increasing, special focus on July uprising
Book Fair 2025: Turnout increasing, special focus on July uprising
16 hours ago | City
AI and scientists unite to decipher old scrolls charred by Vesuvius volcano
AI and scientists unite to decipher old scrolls charred by Vesuvius volcano
17 hours ago | Tech
Meher Afroz Shaon arrested
Meher Afroz Shaon arrested
17 hours ago | National
Traffic police to get small firearms to contain snatching incidents
Traffic police to get small firearms to contain snatching incidents
17 hours ago | National
CA to visit Aynaghor soon with local, international media
CA to visit Aynaghor soon with local, international media
17 hours ago | National
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
18 hours ago | International
BNP's health reform proposals submitted to commission
BNP's health reform proposals submitted to commission
18 hours ago | National
14 eminent personalities, women football team to receive Ekushey Padak
14 eminent personalities, women football team to receive Ekushey Padak
18 hours ago | National
Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 an outburst of deep anger in public mind: Govt
Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 an outburst of deep anger in public mind: Govt
18 hours ago | National
Barishal, Chittagong vie for coveted BPL trophy
Barishal, Chittagong vie for coveted BPL trophy
19 hours ago | Sports
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
20 hours ago | International
"Vandalism sparked by Sheikh Hasina's continuous statements from India"
"Vandalism sparked by Sheikh Hasina's continuous statements from India"
20 hours ago | National
CA to meet martyrs' families on Sunday
CA to meet martyrs' families on Sunday
20 hours ago | National
India's acting high commissioner summoned over Hasina issue
India's acting high commissioner summoned over Hasina issue
20 hours ago | National
Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship
Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship
21 hours ago | International
Most Read
Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 an outburst of deep anger in public mind: Govt
Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 an outburst of deep anger in public mind: Govt
18 hours ago | National
India's acting high commissioner summoned over Hasina issue
India's acting high commissioner summoned over Hasina issue
20 hours ago | National
Govt scraps appointment of 6,531 primary teachers
Govt scraps appointment of 6,531 primary teachers
23 hours ago | National
Australia's Marcus Stoinis retires from ODI cricket, focuses on T20s
Australia's Marcus Stoinis retires from ODI cricket, focuses on T20s
22 hours ago | Sports
Khairul and  Tisha star in Valentine’s Day drama 'Boshonto Bouri'
Khairul and Tisha star in Valentine’s Day drama 'Boshonto Bouri'
23 hours ago | Entertainment
Meher Afroz Shaon arrested
Meher Afroz Shaon arrested
17 hours ago | National
No alternative to elections to remove all obstacles and conspiracies
No alternative to elections to remove all obstacles and conspiracies
23 hours ago | National
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
18 hours ago | International
New receiver appointed at BEXIMCO Group
New receiver appointed at BEXIMCO Group
23 hours ago | Business
Neymar makes comeback for Santos in 1-1 draw
Neymar makes comeback for Santos in 1-1 draw
23 hours ago | Sports
WhatsApp plans to introduce event scheduling in private chats
WhatsApp plans to introduce event scheduling in private chats
22 hours ago | Tech
"Vandalism sparked by Sheikh Hasina's continuous statements from India"
"Vandalism sparked by Sheikh Hasina's continuous statements from India"
20 hours ago | National
Tamim to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final
Tamim to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final
15 hours ago | Sports
Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship
Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship
21 hours ago | International
CA to meet martyrs' families on Sunday
CA to meet martyrs' families on Sunday
20 hours ago | National
Court orders to freeze 28 bank accounts of Zahid Maleque, son
Court orders to freeze 28 bank accounts of Zahid Maleque, son
21 hours ago | National
Protesters in cities across the US rally against Trump’s policies
Protesters in cities across the US rally against Trump’s policies
21 hours ago | International
Blackpink announces world tour for 25 as teaser drives fans crazy
Blackpink announces world tour for 25 as teaser drives fans crazy
21 hours ago | Entertainment
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
20 hours ago | International
Shuvosangho removes banners from roadside trees in Joypurhat
Shuvosangho removes banners from roadside trees in Joypurhat
21 hours ago | Shuvosangho
Chhatra Shibir honors indomitable meritorious students
Chhatra Shibir honors indomitable meritorious students
16 hours ago | City
Neymar returns to Santos after an era
Neymar returns to Santos after an era
23 hours ago | Sports
Barishal, Chittagong vie for coveted BPL trophy
Barishal, Chittagong vie for coveted BPL trophy
19 hours ago | Sports
Traffic police to get small firearms to contain snatching incidents
Traffic police to get small firearms to contain snatching incidents
17 hours ago | National
14 eminent personalities, women football team to receive Ekushey Padak
14 eminent personalities, women football team to receive Ekushey Padak
18 hours ago | National
CA to visit Aynaghor soon with local, international media
CA to visit Aynaghor soon with local, international media
17 hours ago | National
Book Fair 2025: Turnout increasing, special focus on July uprising
Book Fair 2025: Turnout increasing, special focus on July uprising
16 hours ago | City
A great hero of the world is now a guiding light for Bangladesh
A great hero of the world is now a guiding light for Bangladesh
5 hours ago | National
BNP's health reform proposals submitted to commission
BNP's health reform proposals submitted to commission
18 hours ago | National
Hasina got banned, AL to be banned too: Anee
Hasina got banned, AL to be banned too: Anee
21 hours ago | National