Jerusalem, Cairo, and Gaza – Heavy Cheering Marks prisoner Swaps as Israel Relaxes Gaza Border, But Dispute Arises
The sound of freedom echoed across Gaza, as four female Israeli soldiers were released in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, the second prisoner swap of the week-old Gaza truce. However, a delay in the release of another hostage led to a surprise turn of events, as Israel blocked hundreds of thousands of Gazans from returning to the north.
The release of the four Israeli soldiers, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, was met with cheers and applause from a large crowd in Gaza City. The hostages smiled and waved as they were led onto a podium, surrounded by dozens of armed Hamas men, before being taken away in Red Cross vehicles.
In Israel, hundreds of people gathered at “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv, crying, embracing, and cheering as the releases were broadcast on a giant screen. The four women were reunited with their families and later flown to a hospital in central Israel.
The 200 Palestinians freed on Saturday included militants, some serving life sentences for involvement in attacks that killed dozens of people, according to a Hamas list. Israel has stated that those convicted of killing Israelis will not be allowed to return home. Around 70 will be deported to Egypt, while another 16 were sent to Gaza and the rest to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
However, the release of Arbel Yehud, a 29-year-old civilian, was delayed, prompting a dispute between Israel and Hamas. A Hamas official said the group had informed mediators that Yehud was alive and would be freed next week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Palestinians in Gaza would not be allowed to return to the northern part of the territory until the issue was resolved.
As a result, Israeli troops opened fire on crowds of people gathered on a road hoping to return to the north, causing a stampede. Medics reported one person was killed and two others were injured. The Israeli military claimed to be unaware of the casualties, saying troops had fired warning shots near gatherings that posed a threat.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and backed by the United States, has halted the fighting for the first time in over a year. The next phase of the release cycle will see 26 more hostages freed, including men of military age, and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The truce has also raised concerns among families of hostages due for release in later phases, who worry the agreement could break down first.