Hamas announced the names of four hostages it plans to release on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners held by Israel in the second round of exchanges in the ceasefire-for-hostages deal.
The terrorist group intends to free Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag, Hamas’s pseudonymous spokesman Abu Obeida announced via Hamas-controlled media on Friday.
The four women were part of a military unit based at Nahal Oz on the Gaza border that Hamas overran on Oct. 7.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that it had received the list from Hamas and said it would comment later.
Israel, in turn, is expected to release some 200 Palestinian prisoners, including prisoners with life sentences.
Under the terms of the deal, Hamas was supposed to release female civilian hostages before releasing soldiers. One civilian woman, Arbel Yehoud, remains a hostage. It’s not clear if her exclusion from Saturday’s release will complicate the agreement.
Shiri Bibas, another female civilian hostage, was taken with her two children, and they are included on the list of the 33 hostages to be released. Hamas, however, claimed in November that they were killed.
Of the hostages whom Hamas kidnapped on Oct. 7, 91 are currently in Gaza, including 30 who are believed to be dead. Hamas also holds three additional hostages taken before the 2023 attacks.
Hamas is expected to provide an update on Saturday on the status of the remaining hostages, and another five weeks of exchanges are expected as part of the first round of the ceasefire deal.
Jewish groups welcomed the news of the hostage release on Friday.
“While we eagerly await their return, we recognize the long road ahead after being held captive for so long by Hamas terrorists and under brutal conditions,” the American Jewish Committee wrote.
Negotiations to implement the second phase of the ceasefire, which includes the release of the remaining hostages, a permanent cessation of hostilities and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, are slated to begin on Feb. 3.
