Hamas Releases 4 Israeli Female Soldiers. IDF Shares Videos Of Their Return And Families' Joyous Reactions
Hamas has released four captive Israeli female soldiers in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is holding, allowing for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Hamas militants released four captive Israeli female soldiers on Saturday, parading them before a crowd in Gaza City before handing them over to the Red Cross. The exchange marks the second such swap since the ceasefire began last weekend, providing another test for the truce aimed at de-escalating the deadliest war fought between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire has so far held, pausing airstrikes and rocket attacks while allowing increased humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.
After 477 days in hell.
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) January 25, 2025
Standing strong, proud, tall, despite everything.
This is the Israeli spirit. pic.twitter.com/l4w1dHGJIf
Israel confirmed that it has released a total of 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement.
The IDF shared videos of the four hostages' release and their family's joyous reaction to seeing them.
This is the moment 🫶
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 25, 2025
Welcome home Liri, Daniella, Karina and Naama. 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/1DAbWX9Ix4
"The moment when tears of sadness turned into tears of joy as the released hostages’ families saw their loved ones finally coming back home," the IDF posted on X.
The moment when tears of sadness turned into tears of joy as the released hostages’ families saw their loved ones finally coming back home 💛 pic.twitter.com/AvvByt9chZ
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 25, 2025
IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari remarked, “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.”
“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.”
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) January 25, 2025
🎥WATCH IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari’s statement regarding the release of 4 Israeli… pic.twitter.com/3VItQOhyKk
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, a large screen displayed the faces of the four freed soldiers—Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19—who were abducted during Hamas' 7 October 2023 attack, AP reported. The attack targeted the Nahal Oz base near the Gaza border, where more than 60 Israeli soldiers were killed. The abductees had been serving as lookouts monitoring border threats. A fifth soldier, Agam Berger, 20, was taken along with them but was not included in this release.
As the expected swap drew near, crowds gathered in Tel Aviv, with some holding Israeli flags and others displaying posters of the hostages, as per AP's report.
“I’m extremely excited, exhilarated,” said Gili Roman, an onlooker, as quoted by AP. “In a heartbeat, in a split of a second, their lives are going to turn upside down again, but right now for a positive and good side.” Roman revealed that his sister had been released in a previous ceasefire in November, though another relative was killed in captivity.
In Gaza City’s Palestine Square, thousands gathered in anticipation. Armed and masked militants patrolled the streets in vehicles, firing celebratory gunshots. “People are celebrating and waiting to see the hostages,” said Radwan Abu Rawiya, a resident, over the phone, as per the report.
Israel To Release 200 Palestinian Prisoners
The Israeli military confirmed that preparations had been made to receive the freed hostages, ensuring they would receive medical care and personal support before reuniting with their families.
In return, Israel is set to release 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 120 serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis. The released individuals are expected to either return to Gaza or be sent abroad.
The ceasefire deal initially saw Hamas free three hostages in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, all women and minors.
Following the exchange, Israel is expected to start pulling back from the Netzarim corridor—an east-west road that divides Gaza—allowing displaced Palestinians in the south to return north for the first time since the war began, as the report. However, movement will initially be restricted to pedestrians, with vehicular travel expected to resume later.
The Hamas-run interior ministry announced that displaced Palestinians would be allowed to return to northern Gaza starting Sunday, stating that movement would be permitted on foot through the coastal Rashid road, AP reported.
The ongoing ceasefire agreement, currently in its six-week phase, has raised hopes that it may lead to a more permanent truce. However, the next steps remain uncertain.
The conflict erupted on 7 October 2023, when Hamas militants launched a cross-border attack, killing approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking around 250 hostages. In a previous truce in November, more than 100 hostages were freed, but many remain in captivity. Israeli authorities believe that at least a third of the remaining 90 hostages were either killed in the initial attack or have since died in captivity.
Israel’s retaliatory air and ground offensive has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials cited by AP. While the figures do not differentiate between militants and civilians, women and children reportedly make up more than half of the casualties.
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