Hamas frees four female Israeli soldiers, civilian remains in Gaza

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Four female soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces were reunited with their families in Israel on Saturday after surviving 477 days in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip.

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Footage released from the long-awaited reunion at the army’s Re’im Camp in the western Negev showed the elated parents embracing their daughters with relief and tears.

Following a medical inspection, the IDF confirmed that Liri Albag, 19, Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, and Naama Levy, 20, were all in good health.

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“Mother, you’re a lioness,” Gilboa told her mother. “She travelled the whole world for you,” her father added, to which the mother said, “You know I would do anything for you.”

The Ariev family issued a statement, saying: “Our hearts are filled with immense gratitude and joy. After 477 long and tumultuous days of pain, worry and endless anxiety, we have finally been blessed to embrace our beloved Karina, hear her voice, and see her smile that fills us with light once again. Our Karina is a symbol of courage, resilience, and determination, and we are beyond words proud of her.”

The Arievs added that “at the same time, our hearts go out to the family of Agam Berger (also abducted from the Nahal Oz base on Oct. 7, 2023) and all the other women who are still waiting for their miracle. We will not rest or stay silent until everyone comes home. We will continue to act and support with love and belief that together, we can overcome anything.”

Albag’s family released a statement as well, expressing the “feeling of relief and happiness (that) envelops us after 477 long and unbearable days of nerve-wracking waiting. We finally had the chance to see Liri, hug her and know that she is with us, in her safe place, surrounded by the love of her family. Liri demonstrated incredible strength and survived hell, and we are so proud of her steadfastness in such impossible conditions.

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“At the same time, our hearts are with the families of Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, the Bibas family and all the other captives who are still waiting to return home. Our thoughts are with them, even in these moments of joy, and we are determined to fight until the last captive comes home.”

The former captives were flown by helicopter together with their parents to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah, near Tel Aviv, where they underwent further medical examinations. They were greeted by scores of Israelis who waited for their landing near the hospital’s helipad.

Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, head of the Medical Division in the Health Ministry, was quoted by Ynet as saying, “Today, we are meeting Liri, Daniela, Naama and Karina after 477 days in captivity. This is an unimaginable reality. … We are prepared to handle any medical condition that may arise.”

Mizrahi added that this was “an emotionally and medically complex event, for the returnees, their families, the families of all captives, and the entire nation of Israel. Alongside the excitement and the sense that the returnees are an inseparable part of their families, we ask everyone to respect their privacy and preserve their dignity.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted the returnees on X, saying, “Welcome home! Together with all of Israel, my wife and I embrace you with all our hearts!”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the four women heroes.

“We watched you smile and were moved to tears. An entire nation is shedding tears and rejoicing with you at this moment. We are overjoyed to see you finally reunited with your wonderful families and pray that you find the strength for the journey of healing and recovery, surrounded by endless love and support,” he said.

“‘An eye weeps bitterly, and a heart rejoices’ — At this time, our hearts are with the Bibas, Yehud and Berger families, as well as with all the families who are anxious and worried. We will not rest or stay silent until we bring all our brothers and sisters out of the hell of captivity in Gaza — the living, for recovery and reunification with their families, and the fallen, for burial in Israel,” Herzog said.

The White House on Saturday called for the release of all 87 remaining hostages held in Gaza.

“Today, the world celebrates as President (Donald) 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 White House said.

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Arbel Yehud and the Bibas family

According to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, Yehud, 29, a female civilian, was supposed to be freed before female soldiers.

The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement decrying this violation of the hostage-terrorist swap terms, to which Hamas later said Yehud was alive and would be released next week.

“Today, Israel has received four female soldiers who were held hostage by the Hamas terrorist organization, and in return, will release security prisoners according to the arrangement that was determined,” the PMO said.

“As per the agreement, Israel will not allow the passage of Gazans to the north of the Strip until the release of the civilian Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be released today, is arranged.”

An estimated one million Palestinians have been displaced south from the northern Gaza Strip since the early stages of the war. Under the terms of the ceasefire deal, they were supposed to begin heading north today.

According to Arab-language media, Hamas delivered a message to the deal’s mediators, saying Yehud is alive, her physical condition is good, and that she will be released on Feb. 1.

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IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that “Hamas failed to meet its obligations to first release Israeli female civilian hostages as part of the agreement,” adding that the military has “heavy concerns” for the fate of civilian Shiri Bibas, 33, and her two young sons.

The three were included on the list of the 33 hostages to be released, alive or dead, in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas claimed in November that they had been killed in Gaza.

In a statement, Yehud’s family said: “Our hearts are filled with joy at the return of Karina, Daniela, Liri and Naama. We eagerly await and hope for the moment when we can embrace our Arbel as soon as possible.”

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