TEL AVIV, Israel — On Friday, Hamas declared their intention to release four female Israeli soldiers who have been held hostage in Gaza for 15 months. This release is part of a swap agreement for numerous Palestinian detainees under a ceasefire established with Israel. An organization that advocates for the families of hostages has verified the identities of the Israeli women who are set to be freed on Saturday.
According to the terms of the agreement, which has brought a temporary halt to the ongoing conflict, Israel is to release 200 Palestinian detainees in return for the four Israeli women, among whom are 120 individuals serving life sentences for serious violent offenses. The Israeli soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—were taken during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which initiated the current conflict, and they have had no communication with the outside world since their abduction.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed its relief and eagerness for the soldiers’ return, stating, “An entire nation has fought for them and anxiously awaits their longed-for return to their families’ embrace.” The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged receipt of the names of the hostages to be released but did not disclose their identities. Family members of other hostages still in Gaza have urged Netanyahu to secure the release of all remaining captives and have appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance in this matter.
The four women to be released were abducted from the Nahal Oz military base near Gaza during a raid by Hamas on October 7, 2023, where over 60 soldiers lost their lives. The women were part of a lookout unit stationed at the border. Notably, another member of their unit, Agam Berger, who is also a soldier, was captured but will not be included in the upcoming release.
Ariev sent a heartbreaking final message to her family as she was taken, urging them to look after her parents. She is known to enjoy cooking, singing, dancing, and writing poetry. In one incident last year, Hamas circulated a video that featured her and Gilboa appealing for their freedom. Daniella Gilboa underwent a name change by her parents after her captivity as a part of a Jewish tradition of renaming someone to change their fortune. She was seen in footage during her kidnapping appearing to be injured.
Naama Levy, a soldier and triathlete, was also shown struggling during her abduction, with bloodstains evident on her clothes. She has a background in promoting peace, having participated in a program aimed at fostering coexistence among Palestinian, Israeli, and American youth. Meanwhile, Albag, who is the youngest among them, appeared in a video released earlier this month showing signs of significant psychological distress.
As the fragile ceasefire, which has lasted six days so far, continues, over 90 hostages remain in Hamas’ custody. There are concerns that a significant number of these captives, possibly up to half, might have perished. Hamas has not confirmed details regarding the status of the remaining hostages, nor provided clarity on fatalities.
The attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in around 1,200 fatalities in Israel, also saw numerous captives taken—estimated at about 250 in total, including men, women, and children. A few hostages were released during a brief ceasefire in November of the same year, and some remains have been recovered.
The first segment of the ceasefire agreement anticipates the gradual release of 33 hostages, including women, children, the sick, and those over 50 years old, concurrently with the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The initial freed hostages will be living individuals, although there might be a provision for releasing deceased captives if not enough live hostages are available for release.
The initial three Israeli hostages were freed on Sunday in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, marking the first day of the ongoing ceasefire. The emotional reunions witnessed captured hearts, yet there remains an overwhelming sense of concern for those still detained in Gaza. Parents of hostages have expressed their heartache and desperation for their loved ones, with some reaching out to international figures for aid in securing the release of their family members.
Israel is set to disclose which Palestinian prisoners will be included in the release agreement, as the Israeli Prison Service is preparing to organize the transportation of these individuals. The Red Cross is set to facilitate a smooth process for transferring prisoners within a coordinated plan.
As the weekend approaches, the ceasefire requires Israeli forces to partially retreat from a crucial route in central Gaza to allow displaced Palestinians to start returning to their homes in the devastated northern region. Civilians displaced in the southern areas should also utilize a coastal route to head north.
Amidst the destruction, many individuals are attempting to reunite with family members while navigating through the devastation. Expressions of hope arise, with some vowing to return to their roots and embrace their loved ones. Unfortunately, the ongoing violence has resulted in a staggering death toll, with over 47,000 reportedly killed, as reported by Gaza’s health authorities.
