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Four Israeli Hostages Freed by Hamas in Second Ceasefire Exchange

As part of a 42-day ceasefire agreement, Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers—Karina Ariev (20), Daniella Gilboa (20), Naama Levy (20), and Liri Albag (19)—on Saturday. The release was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and broadcast live, marking the second exchange of hostages and prisoners under the ongoing cease-fire.


These young women were abducted during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which marked the beginning of the conflict. Each soldier’s story highlights the harrowing nature of their captivity: from Levy’s history of advocating for coexistence to Gilboa’s injury during her abduction, Albag’s emotional distress captured in a video, and Ariev’s poignant message to her family before her capture. Their release was met with jubilation from their families and supporters in Israel, as they were reunited at a central hospital after their arrival.

The exchange is part of a broader ceasefire agreement involving the release of 33 Israeli hostages by Hamas in return for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners and a partial Israeli withdrawal. Despite this progress, tensions remain, as delays in releasing other hostages have prompted Israel to restrict the return of Gazans to the northern enclave. The ongoing truce aims to de-escalate a 15-month-long conflict that has caused significant casualties on both sides, with over 46,600 Palestinian lives lost according to health authorities in Gaza.

Earlier this week, Hamas released three other Israeli hostages—Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28), and Doron Steinbrecher (31)—highlighting the incremental but significant steps toward resolution. The live broadcast of Saturday’s release evoked widespread emotions across Israel, with citizens gathering at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to celebrate the homecoming.

While the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges as both sides navigate the complex political and humanitarian landscape.

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