Hamas released four Israeli soldiers in a second round of releases under a ceasefire agreement that also saw Israel accuse Hamas of failing to meet its obligations to free civilians first.
Following their release, Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners from detention centers, including 121 who had been sentenced to life in prison.
Shortly after the releases, however, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that civilians in Gaza would not be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza as planned because of an Israeli civilian who was to be released on Saturday ( 25) was not among those freed.
Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinians
Hundreds of displaced people hoping to return to their homes in the north fled in panic after the Israeli military opened fire to prevent them from crossing into northern Gaza, images show CNN International .
The Israeli military warned people earlier in the day that they would not be able to travel north through the Netzarim Corridor – which bisects the territory – as planned, saying that Hamas had not freed Arbel Yehud during the latest hostage release.
Israel has been pushing for the release of Yehud, 29, who was kidnapped from her home on kibbutz Nir Oz. Israel says she is a civilian and should have been released on Saturday.
Expecting to be allowed to return, dozens of families gathered on Al Rasheed Street – the northern coastal road. But amid gunfire, they dispersed, many lowering themselves to the ground. It is unclear whether there were any casualties.
THE CNN International has contacted the Israeli army for comment.
Before the crowd dispersed, many people told the CNN International who wanted to return to the north, despite not knowing what happened to their homes.
One woman, Yusra Mahmoud Judat Abdel Rabbo, said she wanted to return home to Jabalia in the north, where her husband was. “Since the beginning of the war, we have been waiting for this moment to return to our homes in the north,” she said.
Hamna Ramadan Abdullah, also from Jabalia, told CNN International that even though her house was bombed, she was eager to get home.
“The land is my soul, my heart, my life, my religion, my morals and my people. I came early because I was anxious and wanted to go back,” said Abdullah from Al Rasheed Street.
“Let’s see if we live in a school or a tent,” she said.
Mohammad Al-Ghazali of Gaza City described the last 15 months of war as “the worst days of our lives”. He told CNN International : “We lost everything that was dear and valuable. Now all that remains for us is to return to Gaza City and kiss its soil.”
Hostages released
The four hostages released on Saturday – Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, all aged 20, and Liri Albag, 19 – had been held in Gaza since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
All four are in stable condition, according to Dr. Lena Koren Feldman, director of Beilinson Hospital, where the women are being evaluated.
Hamas fighters took the women, dressed in makeshift military uniforms, to the stage in Palestine Square in Gaza City before handing them over to the Red Cross.
They appeared elated as they waved to the crowd, with Israelis visibly emotional as they watched the live footage from Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.
Hamas made a show of strength during the handover, waving green flags and displaying a banner of current and former Israeli leaders alongside the word “failure,” in what appeared to be a message to Israel that the group remained powerful despite being hit by the offensive in Gaza.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said earlier that the four hostages released on Saturday had been reunited with their families. Daniella Gilboa’s family expressed their joy at her release from Gaza.
“We just want to hug her, see her and hug her. And tell her that she is safe now and that everyone is waiting for her,” Gilboa’s aunt, Dekele Sherabi, told CNN International .
After reuniting with family, the four soldiers were transported from Re’im, in southern Israel, to Beilinson hospital, arriving in two separate military helicopters. A few hundred Israelis gathered around the helipad near the hospital to welcome them.
A white curtain was raised to ensure the hostages’ privacy as they exited the helicopters and went to the vans that would take them into the medical center.
This content was originally published in Israel prevents Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza after release of hostages on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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