logo
Who are the Israelis released by Hamas as part of the ceasefire in Gaza?

Who are the Israelis released by Hamas as part of the ceasefire in Gaza?

Arab News29-01-2025

JERUSALEM: Hamas released four young female Israeli soldiers on Saturday after more than 15 months in captivity. The release of the four comes days into a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and is part of a long and uncertain process aimed at eventually ending the war.
Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag were captured when Hamas-led militants overran the Nahal Oz military base during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that ignited the war, killing over 60 soldiers there.
A fifth female soldier in their unit, Agam Berger, 20, was abducted with them but not included in the release. Video of the abduction of the five female soldiers, who had worked as spotters monitoring threats along the border, was widely circulated.
Israel and Hamas have agreed in the ceasefire's first phase to a gradual release of 33 hostages in Gaza, in exchange for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Three hostages were released previously during this truce in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The truce and release of hostages has sparked both hope and fear among Israelis. Many worry that the ceasefire could collapse before all the hostages return, or that those released will arrive in poor health. Others worry that the number of captives who have died is higher than expected.
Some 250 people were kidnapped during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered 15 months of war. More than 90 hostages remain in Gaza, although at least a third are believed to be dead. The others were released, rescued, or their bodies were recovered.
Israel's military campaign has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters but says more than half were women or children.
Here's a look at the hostages released so far:
Four hostages, all female soldiers were released on Saturday.
Liri Albag, 19
Liri Albag was featured in a video Hamas released in early January, filmed under duress. Her family said the video was 'difficult to watch' because of Albag's clear emotional distress. They were particularly active in the protest movement pushing for a deal with Hamas to bring the hostages home.
'Liri, if you're hearing us, tell the others that all the families are moving heaven and earth and want their children home, and we will fight until all hostages are returned,' her father said in a statement after the video was released.
Karina Ariev, 20
Just before Karina Ariev was kidnapped, she she sent a message to her family, saying: 'If I don't live, take care of mom and dad all their lives. Don't give up, live,' according to Israeli media. Her family said she loves to cook, sing, dance and write poetry.
In January 2024, she was featured in a video along with Gilboa and Doron Steinbrecher, who was released last weekend.
Daniella Gilboa, 20
After the kidnapping, her parents changed her name from Danielle to Daniella, a Jewish tradition that is believed to bring God's protection.
In video of the kidnapping, Gilboa seems to have a foot injury as she is forced into the jeep that took her to Gaza.
Gilboa, from Petah Tikva, a suburb of Tel Aviv, played piano and studied music in high school. She dreams of being a singer, according to Israeli media.
Naama Levy, 20
The footage from Levy's kidnapping, in which she is wearing gray sweatpants covered in blood, was shown around the world.
Levy is a triathlete. When she was younger, she participated in the 'Hands of Peace' delegation, which brings together Americans, Israelis and Palestinians to work on coexistence.
From footage of the kidnappings, it seems that Levy was taken separately from the other lookout soldiers, leading her family to worry she was in captivity alone for much of the time.
The following three hostages were released on Jan. 19, the first day of the ceasefire:
Romi Gonen, 24
Romi Gonen was kidnapped from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. That morning, Gonen's mother, Merav, and her eldest daughter spent nearly five hours speaking to Gonen as militants marauded through the festival grounds. Gonen told her family that roads clogged with abandoned cars made escape impossible and that she would seek shelter in some bushes.
Over the past 15 months, Merav Gonen has been one of the most outspoken voices advocating for the return of the hostages, appearing nearly daily on Israeli news programs and traveling abroad on missions.
Emily Damari, 28
Emily Damari is a British-Israeli citizen kidnapped from her apartment on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a communal farming village hit hard by Hamas' assault. She lived in a small apartment in a neighborhood for young adults, the closest part of the kibbutz to Gaza. Militants broke through the border fence of the kibbutz and ransacked the neighborhood.
Damari's mother, Mandy, said she loves music, traveling, soccer, good food, karaoke and hats. Kibbutz Kfar Aza said that Damari was often the 'glue that held her close-knit friend group together' and she was always organizing gatherings of friends around the best barbecue corner in the entire kibbutz.
Doron Steinbrecher, 31
Doron Steinbrecher is a veterinary nurse who loves animals, and a neighbor to Damari in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Steinbrecher holds both Israeli and Romanian citizenship.
Steinbrecher was featured in a video released by Hamas on Jan. 26, 2024, along with two female Israeli soldiers. Her brother said the video gave them hope that she was alive but sparked concern because she looked tired, weak and gaunt.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Israeli Strikes Kill 35 in Gaza, Many Near an Aid Site, Medics Say
Israeli Strikes Kill 35 in Gaza, Many Near an Aid Site, Medics Say

Asharq Al-Awsat

time17 minutes ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Israeli Strikes Kill 35 in Gaza, Many Near an Aid Site, Medics Say

Israeli military strikes killed at least 35 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, most of them at an aid site operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in central Gaza, local health officials said. Medical officials at Shifa and Al-Quds Hospitals said at least 25 people were killed as they approached the aid site near the former settlement of Netzarim, and dozens were wounded. Ten other people were killed in other Israeli military strikes in Khan Younis in the south of the enclave, they added. The Israeli military had no immediate comment. On Tuesday, when Gaza health officials said 17 people were killed near another GHF aid site in Rafah in southern Gaza, the army said it fired warning shots to distance "suspects" who were approaching the troops and posed a threat. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday there had been "significant progress" in efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, but that it was "too soon" to raise hopes that a deal would be reached. Despite efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal. Two Hamas sources told Reuters they did not know about any new ceasefire offers. The war erupted after Hamas-led fighters took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, in an October 7, 2023, attack, Israel's single deadliest day. Israel's military campaign has since killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and flattened much of the coastal enclave.

Jordan, Lebanon Committed to Two-State Solution, Reject Plans to Displace Palestinians
Jordan, Lebanon Committed to Two-State Solution, Reject Plans to Displace Palestinians

Asharq Al-Awsat

time2 hours ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Jordan, Lebanon Committed to Two-State Solution, Reject Plans to Displace Palestinians

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed on Tuesday during talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II the importance of strengthening security and defense cooperation between their countries, especially in the field of combating terrorism and smuggling. Aoun began an official visit to Jordan on Tuesday, where he met with King Abdullah II at the Basman Palace in Amman. The two leaders agreed to form a high-level coordination mechanism between their countries in a number of sectors. They discussed ways to boost ties between Jordan and Lebanon, as well as recent developments in the region. King Abdullah and Aoun expressed their pride in the deep-rooted relations between Amman and Beirut, and the importance of continuing to build on them in service of mutual interests and Arab causes. They stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation on issues of mutual concern. At the regional level, the leaders reiterated their rejection of any plans to displace Palestinians, and urged stepping up Arab and international efforts to reach just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution, reported Lebanon's National New Agency (NNA) They urged the need to immediately reinstate the ceasefire in Gaza and ensure adequate humanitarian aid reaches all areas of the enclave, said a statement by Jordan's royal court. King Abdullah also highlighted the danger of the unprecedented Israeli escalation and violence targeting Palestinians in the West Bank, and Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. Aoun stressed the need to strengthen security and defense cooperation between Lebanon and Jordan, especially in the field of combating terrorism and smuggling, said a Lebanese presidency statement. He underlined the importance of boosting economic and trade cooperation and exchanging expertise to promote sustainable development. The meeting covered the importance of increasing the volume of trade exchange and promoting joint investments, particularly in energy, electricity, and infrastructure sectors. Discussing the situation in southern Lebanon, Aoun reiterated his country's commitment 'to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, while denouncing the continued Israeli aggression against the southern villages and suburbs of Beirut.' The president also drew attention to the pressing issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, describing it as a significant burden on both countries that requires a just solution ensuring safe and dignified repatriation. On Lebanese-Syrian relations following the ouster of the Assad regime, Aoun said Lebanese and Syrian authorities are coordinating to address issues related to the situation on their joint borders.

Trump sends troops to LA, deadly school shooting in Austria and China-US Talks
Trump sends troops to LA, deadly school shooting in Austria and China-US Talks

Al Arabiya

time10 hours ago

  • Al Arabiya

Trump sends troops to LA, deadly school shooting in Austria and China-US Talks

In this episode of W News Extra with Leigh-Ann Gerrans, we discuss: Trump deploying more troops to LA as protests escalate; Governor Newsom threatens legal action. Use of rubber bullets and stun grenades against protesters. A deadly school shooting in Graz, Austria, leaves 11 dead, including the gunman. Palestinian President Abbas urges Hamas to disarm and calls for international forces in Gaza. US-China trade talks continue in London amid rising export tensions, and more.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store