Following a ceasefire agreement, Hamas released four more Israeli hostages from Gaza on Saturday.
The released hostages, Karina Ariev (20), Daniella Gilboa (20), Naama Levy (20), and Liri Albag (19), all members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), were abducted during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. This was the second group of hostages released; the first, comprising Romi Gonen, Emily Demari, and Doron Steinbrecher, was freed on Sunday.
This release coincided with Israel’s expected release of 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 120 militants serving life sentences for deadly attacks.
Video footage from Gaza’s Palestine Square showed the four women being escorted from vehicles, alive and walking in uniform.
“The Red Cross confirmed the transfer of four Israeli hostages to their custody; they are en route to IDF and ISA forces,” a joint IDF and Israeli Security Authority (ISA) statement declared.
A subsequent statement confirmed their arrival in Israel: “The four hostages, accompanied by IDF and ISA forces, have crossed the border and are headed to a reception point in southern Israel for a reunion with their families.”
Upon their return, the hostages received initial medical evaluations.
“The IDF commanders and soldiers welcome home the returning hostages,” the IDF announced on X.
It’s believed the four women were held together at some point during their captivity.
“After 477 agonizing days, Daniella, Liri, Naama, and Karina are finally returning home,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters stated in a press release. “Their return offers a glimmer of hope, but also underscores the need to bring home the remaining 90 hostages. We thank President Trump for his instrumental role in securing this deal.”
The ceasefire agreement stipulates the release of 33 hostages over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Hamas committed to releasing three hostages initially, four on the seventh day, and the remaining 26 over the following five weeks.
This marks the second ceasefire in the conflict, which began over a year ago with Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response. Approximately 100 hostages remain in Gaza.