Terrorist group Hamas released four additional hostages from Gaza on Saturday, following a ceasefire deal with Israel that took effect nearly a week ago. The four hostages, Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19, are all members of the Israeli Defense Forces and were part of a group of hostages taken by Hamas in an October 7, 2023, attack.
The release of the four hostages is the second round of hostage releases, following the release of three others on Sunday. In exchange for the hostage releases, Israel is expected to free 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees, including 120 militants serving life sentences for deadly attacks.
As the two sides begin to implement the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli Defense Forces and Israeli Security Authority reported that the four newly released hostages were transferred to the Red Cross and are being transported to Israel. The hostages were seen walking and were described as being alive and well.
The release of the four hostages brings the total number of hostages set free under the ceasefire agreement to eight, with 25 more expected to be released over the next five weeks. The agreement also calls for the release of 33 hostages in total, with Israel promising to free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
The families of the released hostages were overjoyed by the news, reuniting with their loved ones after nearly 18 months apart. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters described the release as a “moment of light in the darkness, a moment of hope and triumph of spirit.” The group vowed to continue fighting for the release of the remaining 90 hostages still held in Gaza.