IDF soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, held hostage by Hamas for 477 days, were released to Israel on Saturday.

The militant group Hamas on Saturday released four female Israeli soldiers who were held captive in the Gaza Strip in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners. This was the second such swap under the fragile ceasefire deal implemented on January 19 to pause the 15-month-long war.

Four women soldiers, abducted by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023 while doing their military service near the Gaza border, were released on Saturday, following more than 15 months in captivity.

The second hostage-prisoner exchange is another test for the multi-stage fragile ceasefire deal - which has brought an end to the war, for now.

Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy formed the second group of Israeli hostages to be released under the terms of a ceasefire deal. Flanked by Hamas militants, the four Israeli soldiers smiled and waved from a stage in Gaza City's Palestine Square before being led off to Red Cross.

Hamas militants have released four female Israeli soldiers they held captive for 15 months for 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees in Israel.

The hostages were released in a staged handover that saw them surrounded by Hamas gunmen and crowds of civilians.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday released four Israeli female soldiers, who were exchanged for 200 Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israeli jails. The four appeared to be in good health.

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.