Hamas handover takes center stage amidst continued disputes under Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
Tel Aviv [Israel], January 26: Four young Israeli soldiers abducted by Hamas were reunited with their families on Saturday as part of the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. The freed hostages—Karina Ariev (20), Daniella Gilboa (20), Naama Levy (20), and Liri Albag (19)—had been held captive in Gaza for over 15 months.
Hamas staged a dramatic handover in Gaza City’s Palestine Square, showcasing its green flags and a poster labeling Israeli leadership as a “failure,” according to CNN. This symbolic display was seen as an assertion of Hamas’s resilience despite the prolonged Gaza war.
Dispute Over Civilian Hostage Release
Amid the celebrations, tensions flared as Israel announced that displaced Gazans would not be allowed to return north. The decision stems from Hamas’s failure to release civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, as Israel had anticipated in Saturday’s exchange. Yehud, reportedly held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, remains in captivity.
Emotional Reunions and Continued Efforts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the family of 19-year-old Liri Albag, expressing collective relief and hope. “This is truly a great day. We are working on the release of everyone else,” Netanyahu affirmed in a statement.
Albag, one of seven female soldiers kidnapped from the Nahal Oz military base during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, was described by her family as their “beacon of light” during the harrowing ordeal.
Palestinian Prisoner Releases
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel’s prison service confirmed the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners, including some serving life sentences. These releases have sparked both relief and renewed tensions as Israel urged international intermediaries, including the Trump administration, to press Hamas for full adherence to the agreement.
The ceasefire arrangement continues to highlight the fragility of the conflict resolution process, with hopes pinned on the successful release of all remaining hostages.