photo: EPA-EFE/MOHAMMED SABER

Israel expects Hamas to begin releasing four women in exchange for Palestinian prisoners

Israeli authorities believe that in the coming hours Hamas will begin preparations in Gaza for the release of four Israeli hostages in exchange for 180 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

This is the second time such an exchange has taken place since the ceasefire came into effect last weekend, the Times of Israel reports.

The Israeli military (IDF) announced that it has completed all preparations for the return of the four hostages – female soldiers – Karina Arieff, Daniela Gilboa, Naamah Levi and Liri Albag, who were kidnapped by Hamas during the attack on October 7.

These soldiers will first be transferred to a military base near the border, where they will undergo medical examinations, and then be taken to a hospital to meet their families after 477 days of captivity.

The exchange will be carried out with the help of the Red Cross, which will facilitate the transfer of the freed Palestinian prisoners to Gaza, while some will be sent to the West Bank and others to Gaza or even Egypt, Reuters reported.

In the first exchange, which took place within the framework of this ceasefire, three Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners were released.

It is expected that by the end of this process, as the ceasefire progresses, around 1.900 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for 33 hostages, while Israeli troops will begin to withdraw from parts of Gaza.

The ceasefire, which was reached after months of indirect negotiations led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, is expected to lay the foundation for a lasting end to the war in Gaza, the agency said.

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