Four Young Women Set to Return to Israel After 477 Days in Gazan Captivity

Hamas announced the names of four female Israeli hostages it plans to release on Saturday after 477 days in captivity. This announcement appears to violate the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which outlines the order in which hostages should be released: female civilians first, followed by female soldiers, then the elderly, and finally individuals with severe illnesses. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held consultations with security chiefs to determine how to respond to this breach.  

After deliberations, Israel agreed not to break up the ceasefire over the discrepancy.

The hostages—Liri Albag (19), Daniella Gilboa (20), Karina Ariev (20), and Naama Levy (20)—were taken from the Nahal Oz surveillance unit during the horrific attack on October 7, 2023. Their return offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise painful chapter of Israel’s history.

What Happened to them on October 7, 2023?

1. Liri Albag
   Liri, 19, was at her IDF surveillance unit at the Nahal Oz base when the attack began. She sent a final message to her mother at 6:30 a.m., saying she was in a field shelter amidst the rocket barrage. Later, her family discovered a video on Telegram that confirmed her abduction by Hamas terrorists. The sight of their daughter being taken was devastating for her family, who had initially hoped she might be in a hospital. 
2. Daniella Gilboa
   Daniella, 20, stayed in contact with her family on the morning of October 7, even sharing videos that documented what she was wearing that day. When Hamas videos surfaced later, showing other soldiers being kidnapped, her family identified her from the distinctive details of her clothing and hairstyle. Confirmation from the IDF followed, marking the beginning of her long captivity. 
3. Karina Ariev
   Karina, 20, called her parents around 7:00 a.m., crying and describing the chaos of rockets and gunfire. Her last words to them were filled with love and a plea for them to continue their lives. By 7:40 a.m., all communication was lost. Her family, overcome with fear and helplessness, later learned she had been abducted by Hamas terrorists from the Nahal Oz base. 
4. Naama Levy
   Naama, 20, exchanged texts with her mother at 6:55 a.m., describing the relentless barrage of rockets and gunfire. Hours later, a video emerged on Telegram showing her bound, bloodied, and forcibly dragged by Hamas terrorists into a vehicle. The horrifying footage of her abduction became a rallying symbol for protests demanding the release of hostages. Naama’s great-grandparents were Holocaust survivors, and she had previously been active in peace initiatives, making her story particularly poignant. 

About These Young Women & Their Futures:

• Liri Albag dreams of becoming an architect. Known for her radiant smile and love for travel, her family has been fighting tirelessly for her safe return.
• Daniella Gilboa, a budding musician, has spent her captivity under duress, as seen in a heartbreaking Hamas propaganda video released last year.
• Karina Ariev aspires to be a psychologist. Her compassion has been a cornerstone for her family and friends, even amidst the terror of her abduction.
• Naama Levy, a triathlete and peace advocate, became a symbol of resilience when women across Israel donned red-stained sweatpants to honor her and other female hostages.