Four young Israeli women were reunited with their families on Saturday after being held hostage for 477 days following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, all aged 19-20, were released as part of a ceasefire agreement that also saw 200 Palestinian prisoners freed.
The women were part of an all-female observation unit stationed at the Nahal Oz military base near the Gaza border when they were initially captured. Their release was emotionally charged, with families celebrating their return while acknowledging the ongoing plight of other hostages.
Crowds gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, watching live as the women were handed over in Gaza City’s Palestine Square. Flanked by masked Hamas militants, they were transferred via Red Cross vehicles and subsequently brought to Beilinson Hospital for medical evaluation.
Dr. Lena Koren Feldman, the hospital’s director, reported the women were in stable condition and would undergo comprehensive medical and emotional assessments.
The release marks the second group of hostages freed under the negotiated ceasefire. However, some complications remain. Israel had expected civilian hostage Arbel Yehud to be included, accusing Hamas of breaching the agreement. Hamas stated she would be released the following weekend.
One woman from the original unit, Agam Berger, remains in Gaza. Her family expressed joy for the returned soldiers while eagerly awaiting her potential release.
For families of those who died during the initial attack, the moment was bittersweet. Elad Levy, whose niece Roni Eshel was killed, emphasized the mixed emotions: celebrating the returned soldiers while remembering those lost and other hostages still in captivity.
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