Prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel begins: 4 hostages released

The hostage exchange, mediated by the international aid organization the Red Cross, is ongoing. Hamas had agreed to release 33 of the hostages it holds in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. As part of the agreement, 4 Israeli female hostages were handed over to the Red Cross today (January 25).

Before the hostage exchange began, a large number of Hamas fighters flocked to the city center in Gaza. With this development, Hamas has returned to the center of Gaza two years after the war began on October 7, 2023.

Israel is expected to begin releasing the 2,000 prisoners it holds in the coming period. The prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreements between the two sides were carried out under the mediation of Qatar and Egypt.

The Hamas side had described the agreement as a victory. Under the agreement, Israel is also withdrawing from the area it occupied in Gaza, known as the 'Philadelphi Corridor'.

CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS

In exchange for the release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, Hamas agreed to return 33 of the hostages it holds. The hostages to be returned by Hamas consist of female soldiers, women, the sick, and the elderly. On the other hand, Hamas will not release the Israeli male soldiers it captured during Israel's attacks on Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated after the ceasefire agreement that it was a 'temporary pause'. Netanyahu emphasized that they would use the 6-week ceasefire period to 'plan for the future'.

Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump also avoided using clear expressions regarding whether the war would continue.

Hamas had also released some hostages during the war through the Red Cross due to their illnesses

News Source: AA