Four Israeli hostages reunited with families as 200 Palestinian prisoners released

The second release of Gaza hostages during a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took place Saturday, with Palestinian prisoners freed in exchange. Follow for live updates.

• Four female Israeli soldiers have been freed and reunited with their families in the latest round of releases under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. The women were abducted when Hamas overran their base on October 7, 2023. • Hamas put on show of force during their handover at Gaza City’s Palestine Square, waving green flags and displaying a poster of current and former Israeli leaders alongside the word “failure.” It appeared to be a message to Israel the group remains a force despite the 15-month Gaza war. • Israel says that Gazans will not be able to return north amid a dispute over the release of a civilian Israel had expected to be freed Saturday. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement says it is holding 29-year-old Arbel Yehud, with a source saying she is still alive. • Israel’s prison service confirmed that 200 Palestinian prisoners - including some serving life sentences - were released from detention facilities as part of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. The families of the four female soldiers who were freed from captivity in Gaza on Saturday have expressed their joy at the return of their loved ones. Karina Ariev’s family said their “hearts are filled with immense gratitude and joy.”