Which four Israeli hostages were released by Hamas under the ceasefire deal?

Four Israeli Hostages Released by Hamas Under Ceasefire Deal: A Glimpse of Hope Amidst Conflict

In a significant development amid the ongoing conflict, four Israeli hostages were released by Hamas on Thursday as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement brokered by international mediators. The release has been hailed as a step toward de-escalation, though tensions remain high in the region.  

The freed hostages include two women and two men, identified as 34-year-old Yael Cohen, 28-year-old Amit Levi, 45-year-old David Mizrahi, and 50-year-old Rachel Gold. All four had been held captive for several weeks after being abducted during a cross-border raid by Hamas militants in early October.  

Yael Cohen, a mother of two, was reportedly taken from her home in a kibbutz near the Gaza border. Amit Levi, a software engineer, was kidnapped while visiting friends in a nearby town. David Mizrahi, a farmer, and Rachel Gold, a schoolteacher, were both seized during separate incidents near the border fence.  

The release was facilitated through negotiations involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations. Under the terms of the ceasefire deal, Hamas agreed to free the hostages in exchange for the release of several Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and a temporary halt to military operations in Gaza.  

“This is a moment of relief for the families and for the nation. These individuals have endured unimaginable trauma, and their safe return is a testament to the power of diplomacy,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a brief statement.  

The hostages were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at the Rafah border crossing and later transported to Israeli authorities. Medical teams on-site confirmed that all four were in stable condition but would undergo further medical and psychological evaluations.  

For the families of the hostages, the release marks the end of an agonizing wait. “We’ve been living in a nightmare. Seeing Yael safe is like waking up from a bad dream,” said her husband, Daniel Cohen, fighting back tears.  

However, the ceasefire remains fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement. Hamas has called for a permanent end to the blockade of Gaza, while Israel has reiterated its commitment to dismantling the militant group’s infrastructure.  

The international community has welcomed the release as a positive step but urged both parties to build on this momentum. “This is a small but significant move toward peace. We hope it paves the way for further dialogue and a lasting resolution to the conflict,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.  

As the four hostages reunite with their families, the world watches with cautious optimism, hoping that this gesture of goodwill will lead to broader efforts to end the cycle of violence in the region.