Image: RPP noticias
Image: Todo Noticias
Hamas has announced the planned release of four female Israeli soldiers - Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag - who have been held captive in Gaza for 15 months 
. The soldiers, all 19-20 years old, were captured during the October 7, 2023 attack on the Nahal Oz military base 
. However, a fifth female soldier, Agam Berger, was notably excluded from the release list .
The announcement has sparked controversy as it violates the ceasefire agreement's terms, which stipulate that civilian hostages should be released before military personnel 
. The deal includes the release of 50 Palestinian prisoners for each female soldier 
, with many of the Palestinians serving life sentences for serious crimes . Despite the breach, Israel has decided to proceed with the exchange rather than risk the entire agreement 
.
Ashley Waxman Bakshi, cousin of the excluded soldier Agam Berger, accused Hamas of continuing its 'psychological warfare' against Israelis by splitting up the group of female soldiers . The situation is further complicated by the case of civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, believed to be held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad rather than Hamas .
According to U.S. intelligence, Hamas has recruited between 10,000 to 15,000 new fighters since the start of the war, though many are reportedly young and untrained 
. The broader ceasefire agreement includes provisions for Palestinian returns to northern Gaza and increased humanitarian aid via 600 trucks per day .
Hamas has announced the planned release of four female Israeli soldiers - Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag - who have been held captive in Gaza for 15 months . The soldiers, all 19-20 years old, were captured during the October 7, 2023 attack on the Nahal Oz military base . However, a fifth female soldier, Agam Berger, was notably excluded from the release list .
The announcement has sparked controversy as it violates the ceasefire agreement's terms, which stipulate that civilian hostages should be released before military personnel . The deal includes the release of 50 Palestinian prisoners for each female soldier , with many of the Palestinians serving life sentences for serious crimes . Despite the breach, Israel has decided to proceed with the exchange rather than risk the entire agreement .
Ashley Waxman Bakshi, cousin of the excluded soldier Agam Berger, accused Hamas of continuing its 'psychological warfare' against Israelis by splitting up the group of female soldiers . The situation is further complicated by the case of civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, believed to be held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad rather than Hamas .
According to U.S. intelligence, Hamas has recruited between 10,000 to 15,000 new fighters since the start of the war, though many are reportedly young and untrained . The broader ceasefire agreement includes provisions for Palestinian returns to northern Gaza and increased humanitarian aid via 600 trucks per day .
✅Neutral reporting,
based on 66 🗞 sources
