FOUR Israeli Young Women Released by Hamas After 477 Days of Captivity
Four young Israeli female soldiers have been released from Hamas captivity, ending 477 days of terror and brutality for Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Elbag. The women, who were just 19-20 years old at the time of their abduction, were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, by Hamas during the deadly assault on Israel’s Nahal Oz military base.
Hamas handed the women over to the Red Cross in Gaza City, who took them to safety. The traumatic ordeal began for the hostages, who were tortured and forced to appear in horrific propaganda videos posted by Hamas online.
The soldiers were seen being escorted by Hamas terrorists in masks, waving their hands and acknowledging the crowd at the handover ceremony. Desperate parents clapped and cried in joy as their daughters were freed, finally, after a grueling 19 months of hell.
Under the terms of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the released prisoners will exchange 200 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons for other prisoners, most of whom had been serving life sentences for crimes committed against the Jewish state. The ceasefire aimed to end further violence, a goal that the release of these four women helped to achieve for now.
Since their release, the women are receiving medical check-ups and psychiatric care, efforts to help them recover from their traumatic experience.
The families and friends of these brave women released emotional statements thanking the authorities involved in their freedom and celebrating the reunion. Social media is full of congratulations to the four warriors, hailing them as true heroes. With their freedom came a sigh of relief, yet the Israeli- Palestinian conflict looms large and the journey home for these freed hostages will long be a work in progress for their families.