From: Reuters January 25, 2025 4 Israeli soldiers swapped for 200 Palestinian terrorists; north Gaza shut over hostage still held
Jerusalem/Cairo/Gaza: Hamas freed four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, but a delay in freeing another hostage prompted Israel to block hundreds of thousands of Gazans from returning to the enclave's bombed-out north.
The four Israelis freed in the second swap of the week-old Gaza truce were led onto a podium in Gaza City amid a large crowd of Palestinians and surrounded by dozens of armed Hamas men.
The hostages waved and smiled before being led off, entering Red Cross vehicles to be transported to Israeli forces.
Dispute: Joy in Israel over Saturday's release was clouded by disappointment after it emerged that civilian Arbel Yehud, 29 who had been abducted with her boyfriend from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, was not among those released on Saturday.
An Israeli military spokesman called it a breach of the truce, while Hamas said it was a technical issue. A Hamas official said the group had informed mediators that she was alive and would be freed next Saturday.
Hamas Still Alive and Kicking Still calling the Shots... Day 478
