The families of four Israeli soldiers who were held hostage by Hamas for nearly 15 months, watched on Saturday as their daughters were handed over to Israeli forces.
Newsweek has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for comment via email on Saturday.
Why It Matters
The hostages have been held since October 7, 2023, and are among several newly released as part of a recently agreed-upon ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Their release was in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners.
The handover is evidence that the ceasefire continues to hold, although there are doubts about the next phase.
What To Know
The Palestinian militant group's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killed approximately 1,200 people and took around 250 hostages. Since then, Israel has launched several ground and air operations in Gaza, killing more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The conflict has destroyed large swaths of Gaza, uprooted and separated families, and devastated health care systems in the enclave. The war has spread beyond Gaza, with Israel and Hezbollah engaging in cross-border clashes in Lebanon.
On Saturday, the families of four hostages—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—excitedly watched as their daughters were transferred out of Gaza to the IDF. The official X, formerly Twitter, account for Israel posted a video of the parents watching the secured exchange and later posted photos of them reunited.
Another video shows the women being released to the Red Cross. The four soldiers were taken from Nahal Oz base near Israel's border with Gaza.
The parents of Liri, Naama, Daniella, and Karina watch as their daughters are safely handed over to the IDF.
Soon they will finally embrace their loved ones again ❤️.
📸 @IDF pic.twitter.com/c9i2fDQ4DN
Thousands of people in Israel celebrated the release of hostages, while in the West Bank, crowds embraced the release of the prisoners, with 70 of them released to Egypt.
The hostage exchange is the second since the current ceasefire agreement. It is expected that by the end of the first phase of the deal's completion, 33 Israeli hostages will have been freed in exchange for the release of around 1,900 Palestinian detainees.
What People Are Saying
Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesperson, said in a video statement on Saturday: "Today, as part of these ongoing efforts, we welcomed home four more Israeli hostages after 477 days in Hamas captivity...Our mission is not over until every single hostage comes home."
The White House said in a statement emailed to Newsweek on Saturday: "Today the world celebrates as President Trump secured the release of four more Israeli hostages who were, for far too long, held against their will by Hamas in horrific conditions. The United States will continue with its great partner Israel to push for the release of all remaining hostages and the pursuit of peace throughout the region."
The family of released Israeli soldier Karina Ariev said in a statement: "Our hearts are filled with immense gratitude and happiness. After 477 long and harrowing days of pain, worry and endless anxiety, we were finally able to hug our beloved Karina."
The family of released Israeli soldier Liri Albag said in a statement: "A sense of relief and happiness envelops us after 477 long and unbearable days of nerve-wracking waiting. We were finally able to see Liri, hug her and know that she is with us, in her safe place, surrounded by the love of her family ... Liri showed superpowers and survived hell, and we are so proud of her for her steadfastness in the impossible conditions."
What Happens Next
There are still approximately 90 hostages in captivity. It is uncertain what will happen after the ceasefire's initial six-week phase ends.
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