![[Clockwise from top-left:] Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev, and Liri Albag meet with their families after being released from Hamas captivity.](https://jewishunpacked.com/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-1-768x512.png)
Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy were released from Hamas captivity on Saturday as part of the second round of hostage releases agreed upon in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
All four served as spotters (known as tatzpitaniyot in Hebrew) at the IDF’s Nahal Oz base when Hamas kidnapped them on Oct. 7.
Before handing the hostages over to the Red Cross, Hamas forced them onto a stage. The four waved triumphantly and smiled at the crowd Hamas had brought to the scene before going to the Red Cross vehicles and returning to Israel.
Just like the hostages released last week, the four received a cynical “gift bag” with a “prisoner release certificate” and other items. The released hostages said on Saturday that Hamas’ show of force during their release didn’t bother them: “We showed them on stage; it didn’t bother us. We are stronger than that.”
“In recent hours, Hamas has been demonstrating its cruelty, organizing a cynical ceremony – this is a murderous terrorist organization, the world must remember that,” IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said. “Today, it presented a false representation about treating and caring for the kidnapped women, when in reality, it has been cruelly holding innocent civilians, male and female, for 477 days. The mission will not be completed until everyone returns to the territory of the State of Israel.”
Albag, Ariev, Gilboa, and Levy were greeted by their parents at a meeting point near the Gaza border before heading to hospitals in Israel. Footage showed their emotional first embrace with their loved ones after 477 days in captivity.
On the helicopter to the hospital, Albag held a sign reading, “I love you citizens of Israel, IDF soldiers, and my family! I’m back!”
Three women still waiting for release
Another soldier from the spotters unit at Nahal Oz, Agam Berger, is still in captivity and is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Israeli officials had pushed for Arbel Yehud, a civilian kidnapped from Nahal Oz on Oct. 7, to be released in this group since civilians were supposed to be released first in the deal. Hamas refused, insisting it was having difficulties reaching her. Some reports have indicated that Yehud is being held by a Salafi group affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which refuses to hand her over.
The IDF spokesperson stressed on Saturday that Hamas was failing to meet its obligations as set by the ceasefire. Israel has considered delaying allowing Palestinians to return to northern Gaza until Hamas organized Yehud’s release. According to the deal, the route to northern Gaza was supposed to be reopened this Sunday.
Shiri Bibas, another civilian, is also still being held by Hamas, along with her husband, Yarden, and their two children, 2-year-old Kfir and 5-year-old Ariel. Hagari emphasized that the IDF has “grave concerns for their fate.”
“We greatly appreciate the work of all the mediators and insist on the urgent return of the civilians and compliance with the agreement. We have a commitment to all the hostages – the civilians, Agam, and the IDF soldiers – who are still being held captive by Hamas in inhumane conditions,” the IDF spokesperson said.
200 Palestinian security prisoners released, including terrorists with blood on their hands
As the four hostages were released on Saturday, 200 Palestinian security prisoners were released from Israeli prisons. More than half were terrorists serving life sentences, including some convicted of multiple murders.
About 70 of the prisoners were deported to Egypt and then to other countries, including Qatar and Turkey. About 120 were released to the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and a smaller group was released to Gaza.
Two of the Palestinians set to be released on Saturday refused to leave prison, according to KAN news. One was eventually convinced to leave, while the other refused and was replaced by another prisoner. The prisoner who remained behind said he preferred to stay in an Israeli prison than return to Gaza.
What comes next
The next release of hostages is set to take place this coming Saturday when three hostages will be released.
After their release, the remaining 22 hostages will be released every seven days, three at a time, until the last week of the deal, when the last 14 hostages of this phase will be released.
Negotiations are set to begin soon concerning the second and third stages of the ceasefire, which would bring about the end of the war and the release of the remaining 61 hostages.
In a speech on Saturday, Einav Zangauker, whose son, Matan, is being held hostage in Gaza, urged U.S. President Donald Trump to ensure the second and third phases of the deal are completed.
“The extremists in the coalition are threatening to dissolve the government and are demanding the renewal of the war. Smotrich says that Netanyahu promised him that the war would be renewed. Don’t let that happen,” Zangauker said. “Netanyahu needs to implement the agreement in full, and begin negotiations on the second phase now.”
“We must implement the agreement in full and return everyone down to the last hostage. This is the real victory. These are turbulent days for us families and for the people of Israel. We are all moving between joy and excitement and fear and concern for everyone who is still in hell,” added Zangauker.
