The recent hostage handover orchestrated by Hamas on Saturday in Palestine Square, Gaza City, showcased a highly choreographed event. Masked militants, armed with automatic weapons, guarded the scene as a stage was erected for the handover. This display aimed to demonstrate Hamas' continued authority in Gaza despite the challenges faced during the 15-month war.
During the handover, four Israeli female soldiers were released by Hamas, who had been captured earlier. The soldiers were dressed in makeshift army uniforms, wearing green khaki-style jackets and pants, with their hair neatly pulled back in ponytails. The stage where the women were brought featured a banner proclaiming, “Zionism will not win,” along with military unit symbols resembling those seen on Israeli uniform tags and symbols of Shin Bet, Israel’s Internal Security Agency.
Interestingly, in contrast to the soldiers, the three hostages released the previous week, who were not serving in the military, were attired in bright-colored civilian clothing.
Footage of the soldiers' kidnapping on October 7, 2023, by Hamas had circulated widely, showing the women being taken from their homes, some in pajamas, and covered in blood. The videos depicted harrowing scenes, including one where a soldier was dragged by her hair at gunpoint, with bound hands and cut ankles.
Throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict, the toll on human lives has been significant. The Israeli military reported the loss of 841 soldiers, with 405 casualties in Gaza alone. On the Palestinian side, over 47,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives in Gaza, as reported by the local health ministry.
