[Anchor] In the Gaza Strip, Hamas and Israel conducted a second exchange of hostages and prisoners following their ceasefire agreement. However, local conditions remain volatile despite the ceasefire, as Israel accuses Hamas of violating the agreement and blocks Palestinian residents’ return.
This is Kim Do-won reporting.
[Reporter] After a year and five months, Israeli hostages have reunited with their families. These four Israeli female soldiers were abducted by Hamas while on border guard duty. They were first taken to a hospital, and their health is reported to be good.
Following the agreement, Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners. Among them were 120 individuals serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis. Seventy individuals, who are not allowed to reside in Palestine due to charges including murder, have been deported to Egypt.
Despite this second exchange of hostages and prisoners since the ceasefire took effect on the 19th, the situation remains precarious. Israel, stating that Hamas did not release female civilian hostages as promised, has blocked the route to the northern Gaza Strip. Hamas countered that these hostages are included in the next week’s third release.
Residents returning home due to the ceasefire news are now faced with indefinite waiting again.
[Rela Al-Ashram / Palestinian Refugee: I arrived at 2 PM hoping the road would open, but they say it might open tomorrow morning. We are waiting in this cold. I have waited for this day for 15 months.]
There were reports of one person being killed by military gunfire, but Israel denied this.
This has been Kim Do-won from YTN. Video editing by Seo Young-mi.
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