Hamas is set to release more Israeli hostages taken during its barbaric October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks against the Jewish state as part of a ceasefire agreement negotiated by President Donald J. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. Early reports indicate at least four female Israeli soldiers will soon be transferred to Israel in exchange for the aid and release of several Palestinian prisoners.
Karina Ariev, Danielle Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag are believed to be the four women set to be released by the Islamist terrorist group as the Gaza conflict continues its de-escalation. Hamas has stated that all four of the hostages are alive. Tragically, a number of the hundreds of hostages taken deep into Gaza by Hamas following the October 7 attacks have perished in the custody of their captors in the over 500 days the terror group has held them.
The exchange of hostages, prisoners, and humanitarian aid will be the second just instance between Israel and Hamas since the ceasefire was established just days before Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. Previously, Trump warned that if Hamas did not come to the table and reach a deal before he took office, “all hell would break out” in the Middle East.
Trump’s public and private pressure on Hamas and Israeli leaders is largely credited for securing the ceasefire.