In a significant development under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Hamas has released four Israeli female soldiers who were held captive in Gaza.

Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag appeared in good condition as they waved to onlookers in Gaza City’s Palestine Square, each carrying a bag and smiling.

This release is part of the second phase of a prisoner swap that will also see 200 Palestinians unjustly held in Israeli prisons gain their freedom. The agreement has brought a glimmer of relief to Palestinians who have been enduring relentless Israeli aggression.

As the ceasefire holds, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians forcibly displaced from northern Gaza due to Israeli bombardment and threats of evacuation hope to return to their homes. The ceasefire has paused Israel's genocidal war, which has devastated Gaza’s civilian population and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military’s "war-like" tactics in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp have drawn sharp criticism. The UN has condemned these actions, as the death toll from Israeli operations in Jenin rises to at least 14 in just five days.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 47,283 Palestinians and injured 111,472, mostly civilians. The mass destruction has displaced countless families, leaving Gaza in ruins and its people vulnerable to starvation and disease.

The ceasefire agreement comes after a period of intense violence triggered by the Hamas-led October 7 offensive, which resulted in 1,139 deaths in Israel and over 200 people being taken captive.

While the prisoner swaps under the truce offer some respite, the broader reality for Palestinians remains grim. International bodies, including the UN, continue to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank as violations of international law.

For Palestinians, the ongoing struggle for liberation and justice persists, even as the temporary ceasefire offers a momentary reprieve. (ILKHA)