On Saturday, Hamas let go of four young Israeli female soldiers after they had been held captive for more than 15 months. Their release happened during a ceasefire in Gaza and is part of efforts to stop the ongoing war. The soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—were taken when Hamas fighters attacked their military base on October 7, 2023, killing over 60 soldiers. Another soldier from their unit, Agam Berger, is still missing.
Hamas and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire plan that will see 33 hostages released from Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Earlier in this truce, three hostages were released in exchange for 90 prisoners. This situation brings mixed feelings for many Israelis; some hope to see more hostages return but worry that the ceasefire could break down or that released hostages may not be healthy.
Around 250 people were taken hostage during the October 7 attack, and more than 90 are still believed to be in Gaza. Sadly, it’s thought that at least a third of these hostages have died. The Israeli military’s actions have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Here’s a closer look at the four women released:
– Liri Albag, 19: A video of her released by Hamas showed her clearly distressed. Her family has been active in advocating for all hostages to come home.
– Karina Ariev, 20: Just before her kidnapping, she messaged her family, asking them to take care of her parents. She enjoys cooking, singing, and writing poetry.
– Daniella Gilboa, 20: After her kidnapping, her parents changed her name for protection. She was seen with an injury during her abduction and dreams of being a singer.
– Naama Levy, 20: Footage of her kidnapping showed her hurt. She’s a triathlete who previously worked on peace projects involving Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians.
Earlier in the ceasefire, three more hostages were released:
– Romi Gonen, 24: Kidnapped at a music festival, she stayed on the phone with her family as the attackers came closer.
– Emily Damari, 28: A British-Israeli citizen who was taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Her family describes her as a fun-loving person who brings friends together.
– Doron Steinbrecher, 31: A veterinary nurse who has both Israeli and Romanian citizenship. She appeared in a video that gave her family hope but showed she looked very tired.
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