Israel rejoiced on Saturday as four women hostages taken by Palestinian Hamas on Oct. 7th, 2023 were returned home after surviving 477 days of captivity by the terrorist organization. Hamas refused to release other female hostages as per the agreement. Despite Hamas’ failure to return hostages, Israel released 200 Palestiniabn criminals, 120 of whom were serving life sentences for murdering Jews.
Liri Albag, 19, Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, and Naama Levy, 20 were reported to be in good health.
Former Hamas captive Daniella Gilboa reunites with her parents at the IDF’s Re’im Camp near the Gaza Strip, Jan. 25, 2025. Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
IDF soldier Naama Levy meets her parents at the IDF’s Re’im Camp near the Gaza Strip, Jan. 25, 2025. Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
Karina Ariev and her parents at the IDF’s Re’im Camp near the Gaza Strip, Jan. 25, 2025. Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
Former captive Liri Albag and her parents at the IDF’s Re’im Camp near the Gaza Strip, Jan. 25, 2025. Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
Arbel Yehud, 29, who had been included in the agreement, was not released. 20-year-old Agam Berger, a female IDF soldier, was also not released.
“Mother, you’re a lioness,” Gilboa told her mother. “She traveled 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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
The agreement calls for Hamas to release 33 women, children, elderly, sick and wounded hostages over a six-week first phase, with Israel freeing 30 prisoners for each civilian and 50 for each soldier. Two hostages—Arbel Yahud and Agam Berger—were notably excluded from the list of those to be freed on Saturday despite earlier agreements prioritizing the return of civilians.
Shiri Bibas and her two young children were also not included in the list provided by Hamas of the hostages to be released.
Despite Hamas’ refusal to release hostages as per the agreement, Israel released 200 Palestinian criminals serving time in prison for security offenses.120 of the released prisoners were serving life sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.
Israel says those convicted of killing Israelis will not be permitted to return home. Around 70 will be deported to Egypt, Palestinian officials said, and from there to another country, possibly Turkey, Qatar or Algeria.
Another 16 were sent to Gaza and the rest were released to Samaria, where cheering crowds waving Palestinian flags gathered in Ramallah to greet them.
Media reports cite the testimony of other hostages claiming that Berger has kept her religious values throughout her captivity. Hidabroot reported that once, her Hamas kidnappers ordered her to cook on Shabbat. She refused at the risk of further persecution, adhering to her faith.
Agam Goldstein, a former captive, recalled: “She prayed a lot, blessed the food, and refused to light a fire on Shabbat.”
