GAZA CITY, Palestine

The armed wing of Palestinian group Hamas on Friday announced the names of four Israeli female soldiers who will be released on Saturday in the second swap under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

In a brief statement, Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obaida said his group will release four Israeli female soldiers on Saturday, Jan. 25.

He identified the soldiers as Karina Ariev, Danielle Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag.

Separately, Hamas said it is awaiting the list of 200 Palestinian prisoners who will be released from Israeli jails in return of the captives on Saturday. It said the list would include 120 prisoners serving life sentences and 80 prisoners with other lengthy sentences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed receiving from mediators the list of hostages to be released.

Under the ceasefire terms, Israel must release 50 Palestinian detainees in exchange of the release a female soldier. The 50 detainees should include 30 Palestinians serving with life-term sentences and 20 other high-term sentences.

On Sunday, the first day of the ceasefire, Israel released 90 Palestinian detainees while Hamas released three Israeli captives.

The first six-week phase of the truce has suspended Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since Oct. 7, 2023.

The three-phase agreement includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, and its residents displaced, hungry, and prone to disease.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar