CNN: The handover of the four female prisoners in Palestine Square in the center of Gaza City was the most organized by Hamas
CNN said that the process of handing over the four Israeli female soldiers, Saturday, in Palestine Square in the center of Gaza City was the most organized so far by Hamas.
CNN pointed out that the movement tried, through its offer to hand over the female prisoners, to send a message that it still largely controls the Gaza Strip despite what it was exposed to throughout the 15-month war.
The four female prisoners held by the al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, were handed over earlier Saturday, in exchange for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, as part of the second batch of prisoner exchanges within the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.
The female soldiers appeared in military uniform and in good health alongside members of the resistance on a platform erected in Palestine Square, and witnessed the signing of a handover agreement between a representative of the Qassam Brigades and another from the International Red Cross.
The al Qassam Brigades also broadcast special scenes from the handover of the four female soldiers, in which they appeared in a state of clear relief and happiness.
The footage included them receiving the release certificates that they had signed and being given souvenirs before the handover.
The al Qassam documented the movement of its fighters and military vehicles through the streets of Gaza City until they reached the handover area, and the chants of Palestinians in support of the resistance.
The female prisoners also expressed their thanks and gratitude in the video, in messages they wrote in Arabic.
In exchange for handing over the four female soldiers, the Israeli Prison Service announced that it had released 200 Palestinians from its prisons, a few hours after Hamas released them.
According to the Hamas Prisoners’ Information Office, this batch of Palestinian prisoners includes 121 life-sentenced prisoners and 79 with long sentences.
The first batch of exchanges, which took place last Sunday hours after the ceasefire in Gaza went into effect, included three Israeli female detainees in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners.
