Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers on Saturday (January 25th) in exchange for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners by Israel. This marks the second round of hostage release since the Gaza ceasefire and hostage agreement came into effect.
Similar to previous hostage release procedures, Hamas first transferred the four Israeli female soldiers to the Red Cross in Gaza on Saturday. Subsequently, the Red Cross then passed these four hostages to the Israeli forces.
The four released individuals are 20-year-old Karina Ariev, 20-year-old Daniella Gilboa, 20-year-old Naama Levy, and 19-year-old Liri Albag.
The Israeli Defense Forces stated that the four Israeli female soldiers, who had been detained in Gaza for 15 months, have returned to Israeli territory.
These four female soldiers were stationed at an observation post on the Israel-Gaza border. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale attack against Israel and abducted these four individuals.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated the released hostages on Saturday. Posting on the social media platform X, he said, “Daniella, Liri, Naama, and Karina – you are all heroes! Welcome back home!”
“At the moment we saw you smile, we cried. The entire country shares the joy and sadness with you at this moment. Seeing you smile, finally reuniting with your dear family, makes us immensely happy,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke about the released hostages. He said, “My wife and I, along with all the people of Israel, embrace you wholeheartedly. We will continue to strive to ensure that all our hostages return home, whether they are alive or deceased.”
Hamas conducted the first round of hostage release last Sunday (January 19th), releasing three civilian hostages. In exchange, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners on that day.
While Israel is pleased with the release of the four Israeli female soldiers on Saturday (January 25th), they are also disappointed that a female civilian hostage, 29-year-old Arbel Yehud, was not released.
Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire and hostage agreement rules by failing to fulfill the obligation of releasing civilians first. He stated that Israel will ensure the prompt release of civilian hostage Yehud, Shiri Bibas, her children Ariel and Kfir.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the release of a female civilian hostage, Gaza civilians will not be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza as planned.
A source told CNN that, as part of the hostage release operation, Israel demanded the release of 29-year-old Yehud from Hamas.
Israeli officials stated that the Israeli Defense Forces will not allow Palestinians from Gaza to enter the north until Hamas hands over Yehud to Israel or initiates the release procedure.
According to a statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday, Yehud was supposed to be released today. “Israel will not allow Gazans to move to the north of Gaza until Israeli civilian Yehud is released,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.