Hamas militants have released four female Israeli soldiers they held captive for 15 months to the Red Cross in a planned exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees in Israel

Mughrabi and Dawoud Abu Alkas JERUSALEM/CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -The Palestinian militant movement Hamas is expected to release four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday in exchange for a group of Palestinian prisoners under a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the 15-month-old war in Gaza.

The four soldiers were all stationed at an observation post on the edge of Gaza and abducted by Hamas fighters who overran their base during the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israeli hostages Liri Elbag, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev and Daniella Gilboa were released by Hamas on Saturday, and transferred to Red Cross vans in Gaza City.

Israel and Hamas are expected to swap more hostages for Palestinian prisoners. It would be the second such exchange since a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip last weekend.

The hostages are the second set to be released since the multiphase agreement came into effect, raising hopes for a lasting end to the war.

The return of fighters to Gaza streets highlights how Israeli bombardment has failed to achieve Netanyahu’s goal or eradicating Hamas as a political force.

Hamas identified four female soldiers abducted from a military base as those who will be freed in the next exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The swap for four soldiers stationed on the border of the Gaza Strip at Nahal Oz follows 15 months of captivity and a campaign by their families.

Hamas said on Friday that it would release four female soldiers held hostage for over a year in Gaza. Under the terms of a cease-fire deal, Israel would be expected to release around 200 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas said that it intends to release Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag on Saturday. All four of the women were serving as Israel Defense Forces soldiers at the time of their kidnapping.