DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) - On Saturday, Israel and Hamas are anticipated to engage in a significant exchange involving more hostages for Palestinian prisoners. This marks the second such exchange since a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip the previous weekend, serving as another crucial test for the fragile agreement.
The ceasefire aims to de-escalate what has been described as the deadliest and most destructive conflict between Israel and Hamas. Since the agreement was reached, airstrikes and rocket fire have subsided, allowing humanitarian aid to flow more freely into the besieged coastal territory.
The initial phase of the ceasefire commenced on Sunday, resulting in the release of three hostages held by Hamas in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. On Saturday, a second round is set to take place, wherein four Israeli soldiers are expected to be freed in return for 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 120 individuals serving life sentences for fatal attacks against Israelis. Following their release, the prisoners will likely be sent either to Gaza or abroad.
The four Israeli soldiers pending release—Karina Ariev (20), Daniella Gilboa (20), Naama Levy (20), and Liri Albag (19)—were captured during a Hamas assault on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in the deaths of more than 60 soldiers at the Nahal Oz base near the Gaza border. The female soldiers were members of a lookout unit responsible for monitoring potential threats.
Post-swap, Israel is expected to start its withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor, a crucial route that divides Gaza, enabling displaced Palestinians in the southern region to return to their previous homes in the north for the first time since the onset of the conflict.
However, movement north will be strictly regulated, with Palestinians allowed to travel on foot and vehicular traffic remaining limited until further into the ceasefire arrangement. The future of the deal’s initial six-week duration remains uncertain, but there is widespread hope that it may contribute to ending a war that has devastated vast areas of Gaza, displaced a majority of its residents, and left countless individuals at risk of famine.
The conflict ignited with a cross-border assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily among civilians, alongside the abduction of around 250 individuals. Following a subsequent weeklong truce in the following month, over 100 hostages were released; however, many remain unaccounted for after more than a year without any contact with their families or communities. Israel estimates that at least a third of the over 90 remaining captives in Gaza have been either killed during the initial attack or perished while in captivity.
As the conflict escalated, Israel has pursued a rigorous air and ground offensive that has, according to local health officials, claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives. These figures include a significant number of women and children, making up more than half of the reported casualties, though the authorities do not specify how many of the deceased were combatants.
Amidst these developments, families and supporters of the hostages continue to advocate for their release, drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza as the conflict persists. The hope remains that the current ceasefire and subsequent prisoner exchanges may pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region.
