Israel is preparing to receive four female soldiers who have been held captive by Hamas since October 2023, following the announcement that they will be released on Saturday, as part of a broader hostage deal under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Four women, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, who range in age from 19 to 20, were among seven female soldiers abducted during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. Its upcoming release marks a significant moment for both families awaiting our return and the nation grappling with ongoing conflict.
Hostages’ Return and Absence of Arbel Yehud
Hamas confirmed on Friday its intention to release the four women, marking a hopeful moment in lengthy negotiations over hostage exchanges. However, this release is set to occur without Arbel Yehud, a 29-year-old Israeli civilian hostage who was also expected to be part of this wave of releases. Yehud was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz and is believed to be held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, rather than Hamas, which may explain her exclusion from this particular deal.
Israeli officials had hoped that Yehud would be included in Saturday’s release, as her name had been part of previous discussions, but it is understood that negotiations regarding her release are ongoing. Israeli authorities confirmed that they will continue efforts to bring Yehud and or the hostages home, despite her absence from the current release list.
Release of Palestinian Prisoners
In exchange for four Israeli female soldiers, Hamas expects the release of around 200 Palestinian prisoners, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement. According to Hamas’s Prisoners Media Office, the release will include “120 prisoners with life sentences and 80 prisoners with high sentences.” The agreement follows a reciprocal arrangement, where Israel has committed to releasing 50 Palestinian prisoners for every female soldier returned from Gaza.
The timing of prisoner exchange was carefully negotiated, with Israel’s leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, involved in determining where a proposed list of prisoners met the terms of the ceasefire. As of Friday evening, Israel’s Justice Ministry had not yet disclosed the exact number or identities of Palestinian prisoners to be released on Saturday.
Background of Captives
four women to be released were taken hostage by Hamas during a brutal attack on the Nahal Oz military base in southern Israel. Soldiers were serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as military lookouts when they were captured. Ir kidnapping and subsequent captivity have become symbols of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Among seven women originally taken captive, Ori Megidish was rescued by IDF in October 2023, while Noa Marciano, 19, tragically lost her life in Gaza, with her body later recovered by IDF in November 2023. remaining five women, including four slated for release, were not part of the previous, short-lived ceasefire deal in 2023, which had called for the release of all women and children held in captivity.
The remaining female soldier, Agam Berger, is not part of the release planned for Saturday, but she is among 33 hostages who were named for release in the initial phase of the current ceasefire agreement, which went into effect Sunday.
Impact on Families and Nation
expected release of four women has been met with a mixture of anticipation and emotional relief from our families and the broader Israeli public. For over 477 days, families of four women have lived with the pain and uncertainty of their loved ones’ captivity. Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an advocacy group supporting families, expressed their joy at the news, stating that “an entire nation has fought for me and anxiously awaits ir longed-for return to ir families’ embrace.”
Women themselves have become symbols of resilience and hope. Each one has a unique personality that endeared me to my loved ones. Albag, the youngest of four, was described as someone who radiates joy and has a passion for singing, photography, and cooking. Ariev, a compassionate individual from Jerusalem, dreamed of becoming a psychologist and was known for bringing people together. Gilboa was a passionate musician, while Levy, known for her quiet strength, participated in triathlons and worked on fostering peace through the Hands of Peace project, which promotes dialogue between young Israelis, Palestinians, and Americans.
Continued Efforts for Hostage Release
release of these four women is a crucial part of the broader ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which aims to continue throughout the next several weeks. Throughout the ceasefire’s first phase, additional hostages are expected to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Already, three hostages—Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher—were freed on Sunday, along with 90 Palestinian prisoners.
Despite positive momentum, re remain significant challenges ahead. Hamas continues to hold 91 individuals taken from Israel on October 7, 2023, along with three additional hostages from previous years. The total number of hostages held by Hamas and its allies is 251, and in return will require continued diplomatic negotiations.
As part of the agreement, Israel will also withdraw troops from certain areas of Gaza, and humanitarian aid will continue to flow into the region to address the dire needs of civilians impacted by the ongoing conflict.
A Nation’s Longing for Peace
For families of released hostages, the return of their loved ones will be a long-awaited moment of joy. Yet, broader Israeli and Palestinian communities remain deeply affected by unresolved issues of governance, security, and peace in the region. As hostages continue to be freed, re remains hope for lasting peace, but the road ahead remains uncertain.
