Hamas and Israel were set on Saturday for their second exchange of hostages for prisoners under their current Gaza cease-fire deal.
On Friday, Hamas said it would release four female Israeli soldiers. In exchange, Israel is expected to free around 200 Palestinian prisoners.
The four women were taken captive more than a year ago during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, when, Israeli officials say, roughly 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage. In response, Israel launched an intense bombing campaign that Gaza health officials say has killed at least 45,000 people.
The 42-day initial cease-fire deal, which mediators hope will become the foundation for a permanent end to the war in Gaza, went into effect on Sunday. Under the deal, Hamas agreed to release in stages 33 of the almost 100 remaining hostages in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
On Friday, Hamas identified the four hostages it would release as Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Naama Levy, 20; and Liri Albag, 19. All four were abducted from the military base near Gaza where they had been serving.
Israel said mediators between the two sides had passed along a list of names of hostages slated for release on Saturday, without confirming their identities. It remained unclear whether the four named by Hamas would ultimately be released.
