Before their release, the hostages, four female soldiers, were led onto a stage in Gaza City, surrounded by masked, uniformed fighters.

Hamas released four female Israeli hostages on Saturday, in a second round of exchanges between Israel and Hamas which will see around 200 Palestinian soldiers released later today.

Hamas militants have released four female Israeli soldiers they held captive for 15 months for 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees in Israel.

The hostages were freed in a heavily staged handover, ahead of the expected release of 200 Palestinian prisoners.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers on Saturday, who will be exchanged for 200 Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israeli jails.

The return of fighters to Gaza streets highlights how Israeli bombardment has failed to achieve Netanyahu’s goal or eradicating Hamas as a political force.

The four soldiers were all stationed at an observation post on the edge of Gaza and abducted by Hamas fighters who overran their base during the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Hamas identified four female soldiers abducted from a military base as those who will be freed in the next exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Four female Israeli soldiers held hostage by Hamas have returned to Israel after militants paraded them in front of a crowd of thousands in Gaza City.

Soldiers Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev - all three aged 20 - and Liri Elbag, 19 were taken from a military base at the Israel-Gaza border during the 7 October attacks. This is the second part of an Israeli hostage release and Palestinian prisoner swap since a ceasefire was agreed earlier this month.

Israel has released 200 Palestinians from its prisons as part of its agreement with Hamas. NBC News' Daniele Hamamdjian reports on the progress of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.