Summary

  • Four female hostages who were held by Hamas in Gaza have returned to Israel

  • The four women - who are the second group of hostages released since a ceasefire deal was agreed - are Israeli soldiers who were taken on 7 October 2023

  • Israel has released 200 Palestinian prisoners in return, 70 of whom are expected to be deported

  • However, the Israeli government accuses Hamas of breaching the ceasefire deal by not releasing civilian hostage Arbel Yehud

  • In response, Israel has said displaced Palestinians will not yet be allowed to return to northern Gaza, as had been scheduled under the deal

  • Meanwhile, Hamas says Arbel Yehud is alive and will be freed next week

Watch: Emotional reunions as Israeli hostages released by Hamas

Live Reporting

Edited by Jack Burgess

  1. Hostages will be taken for health check before meeting their families

    The Israeli Defense Forces say the four female hostages set to be released today will be taken to an army facility near the border for an initial check-up before they are reunited with their families.

    In a post on X, the IDF says it has "completed its preparations to receive the hostages returning to Israel from Gaza".

    "The returning hostages will receive medical care and personal support at established and prepared initial reception points. Afterward, they will be transferred to hospitals and reunited with their families."

  2. Four Israeli hostages are soldiers who were captured near Gaza border

    The four hostages to be released are Israeli soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy - all three aged 20 - and Liri Albag, 19. The four were taken by Hamas from a military base at the Israel-Gaza border.

    Ariev's sister told the BBC she heard shooting when Karina called her during the attack: "She was scared, crying, she was in panic. Her last message was 'they're here', in the bomb shelter. This was the last contact we had with her."

    Levy's family have described Namaa a "peace seeker" who was previously part of an Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative, while Daniela's mother says she is "strong and determined".

    Albag, who was 18 when she was taken hostage, had started her role at the military base just two days before the Hamas attack. Three weeks ago, Hamas released a video of Albag calling for the Israeli government to reach a deal.

    A combination picture shows Israeli hostages Karina Ariev, Naama Levy, Liri Albag and Daniela GilboaReuters

  3. Second hostage release expected this morning

    The second stage of a hostage release and prisoner swap is set take place today between Israel and Hamas.

    Four Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for roughly 200 Palestinian prisoners - Hamas says these are female soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag.

    It was originally thought that another female Israeli civilian, Arbel Yehud, would be included among those released. It is unclear why her name was left off the list.

    Today’s exchange follows the release of three female Israeli hostages that took place six days ago.

    The four women that will be released today are all Israeli soldiers who were captured at the Nahal Oz military base during the 7 October attacks.

    Meanwhile, the Palestinian prisoners who will be released today are expected to be of a more serious category than those freed in the first exchange. This includes some on long sentences who have killed, but Israel insists no-one involved in the 7 October attacks will be freed.

    We’re currently uncertain exactly when the exchange will take place, but we’ll bring you any updates on this developing story as soon as we get them.