Israel is preparing to receive on Saturday four female soldiers held hostage by Hamas, an Israeli official and Israeli source familiar with the matter said. Hamas said earlier that it intends to release Karina Ariev,

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.

All four hostages are female Israeli soldiers. They are expected to be released Saturday in accordance with a ceasefire agreement with Israel that's halted fighting in the Gaza war since last weekend.