IRIA News

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Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers on January 25, 2025, in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The exchange, part of a broader truce agreement mediated by Qatar and Egypt, marked the second phase of the swap deal since the ceasefire began.

The four Israeli soldiers, Naama Levy, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, and Karina Ariev, were part of a female military unit stationed near Gaza. They were taken hostage on October 7, 2023, during a Hamas-led attack on Israel’s Nahal Oz base.

• 20-year-old Israeli soldier Naama Levy has just begun her military service as she was taken hostage during a Hamas attack. Levy was seen bloodied and bruised in some videos recorded during her capture. Her family expressed gratitude and called for solidarity with other hostage families still awaiting reunification.

• Daniella Gilboa, a 20-year-old Israeli soldier who also sustained injuries during the attack, was previously seen in a Hamas-released video appealing for government intervention in her case.

• 19-year-old Liri Albag had barely begun her service when abducted. Earlier Hamas footage showed her tearfully reading a plea for her release.

• 20-year-old Karina Ariev sent a farewell message to her parents before being captured on October 7. Images released during her captivity showed her with some injuries.

There’s nothing stronger than the love of family ❤️🇮🇱🎗️

Liri, Daniella, Naama and Karina, welcome home!

📷 @IDF pic.twitter.com/GHl78zBnFE

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) January 25, 2025

Overjoyed family members of the hostages met at the Israeli military base after the release. The four Israeli female soldiers were transported to central Israel for medical evaluations after their release.

Details of the exchange

The prisoner exchange saw 200 Palestinian detainees freed from Israel’s captivity. Some of the released prisoners were sent to Gaza, while others were sent to Egypt and potentially onward to countries such as Turkey or Algeria. Crowds of Palestinians in Ramallah and Gaza celebrated the prisoners’ return.

The Israeli government has firmly stated that those involved in any killings will not be permitted to return to their homes.

Tensions over delayed hostage release

The whole operation was not without complications. Hamas failed to release a fifth expected hostage, Arbel Yehud, citing technical issues. Israeli authorities accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire terms, leading to a halt in plans to allow displaced Palestinians to return to Gaza’s devastated northern region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the delay and announced the freeze of movement back to northern Gaza until the matter is resolved. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians remain in limbo, with reports of a deadly stampede as crowds attempted to return to their homes.

Ceasefire and future negotiations

The ongoing truce, the first substantial pause in fighting since October 2023, aims to secure the release of 33 Israeli hostages in its first phase. With 90 hostages still held in Gaza, including women, children, and soldiers, families are growing anxious about the potential collapse of the ceasefire.

Critics of the ceasefire within Israeli political circles argue that resuming military operations is essential to dismantle Hamas and secure long-term stability. Meanwhile, Hamas has stated it will not release all hostages until the conflict ends entirely.

Casualties and the humanitarian toll

Since the October 7 attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 kidnapped, Israel has launched a comprehensive military campaign in Gaza, leading to devastating losses. Over 47,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials, with extensive destruction across the region. Israeli casualties include more than 400 soldiers.

The fragile truce offers hope, but deep tensions and unanswered questions suggest that peace remains precarious. As negotiations continue, families on both sides wait anxiously for a resolution to the tragedy that has upended their lives.