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Hamas Set to Release Four Female IDF Soldiers on Saturday in Hostage Swap
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Hamas announced on Friday its intention to release four Israeli female soldiers who have been held hostage in Gaza for over a year, a significant step in a high-stakes hostage-for-prisoner exchange scheduled for Saturday. The New York Times reported that this development is part of a fragile cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel, raising both hopes and uncertainties about the future of the conflict.
The image that the world turned to, that of Naama Levy, raped and kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October, is on the list of the next hostages to be released this Saturday. Do NOT forget#HamasISIS #Israel #Israel #Hamas pic.twitter.com/lYNVGmeKCD
— Agencia AJN (@AgenciaAJN) January 24, 2025
The four women, identified by Hamas as Karina Ariev (20), Daniella Gilboa (20), Naama Levy (20), and Liri Albag (19), were abducted during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on an Israeli military base near Gaza, a day that marked the onset of war. According to the information provided in The New York Times report, Israeli officials have not yet confirmed whether these four individuals will be among those freed. Mediators have passed along a list of names, but the final details of the exchange remain uncertain.
Let’s not forget what Hamas did to these beautiful girls in the first days of their kidnapping.
We can only imagine what they have endured and are undergoing.
Our hope is that they can return home in the next few days
🙏🫂🤍🕊️🎗️@Bring_Naamalevy @Bring_Daughters… pic.twitter.com/JHIv5u0isg— armandoparlati_BRING_THEM_HOME🇮🇹🎗️ 🧡 (@armandoparlati) January 22, 2025
As detailed by The New York Times, the agreement involves a significant trade: Israel would release approximately 200 Palestinian prisoners, including some serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis, in exchange for the four hostages. This deal also requires a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza to allow displaced Palestinians to return to the north.
The spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing announced a short while ago the identities of the four Israeli hostages expected to be released tomorrow:
Soldier Karina Ariev
Soldier Danielle Gilboa
Soldier Naama Levy
Soldier Liri ElbagFollow the TJNEWS channel on
WHATSAPP 🔗… pic.twitter.com/y4F8wrEI1B— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) January 24, 2025
The six-week cease-fire, which began on Sunday, has temporarily halted fighting, providing a rare moment of respite for both sides. The New York Times report noted that this pause might create conditions for broader negotiations. However, the weekend’s exchange and the accompanying obligations—such as Hamas supplying information about the status of other hostages—pose a critical test for the truce’s sustainability.
“Here, these are the girls who can get pregnant.”
This is video footage depicting the horrific kidnapping of 5 female Israeli hostages: Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa and Naama Levy.
They have been held hostage by Hamas for more than 230 days (8… pic.twitter.com/dcl3ZCn9er
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 22, 2024
Israeli officials have long demanded clarity about the fate of hostages who have been held in Gaza for over 15 months, The New York Times report explained. Hamas, for its part, has previously declined to provide such information, claiming that its fighters could not confirm the status of captives without freer movement and communication. Under the terms of the truce, Hamas is now required to share these details.
Do not look away.
Our angels are still being held in Gaza:
Liri Albag
Karina Ariev
Agam Berger
Daniella Gilboa
Naama LevyDo not look away. pic.twitter.com/ARzMR6FPEu
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) May 22, 2024
The agreement has drawn mixed reactions on both sides. While many Gazans welcome the cease-fire after enduring 15 months of relentless war, they also face an uncertain future in a territory devastated by widespread destruction. Similarly, Israelis remain cautiously optimistic but are acutely aware of the complexities surrounding this deal. As The New York Times report highlighted, the exchange of prisoners and hostages represents only a partial step toward resolving the broader conflict.
400 days ago, today. This is October 7th.
Hamas brutally kidnapped Naama Levy.
Her hands were tied to prevent her from fighting back, and her heels were slashed to stop her from escaping.
She has been held hostage for 400 days.
Don’t let her be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/t7F2X6zhXp
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) November 9, 2024
The 42-day cease-fire stipulates that Hamas will release 33 hostages in total in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, alongside a partial Israeli withdrawal. The temporary calm provides a crucial opportunity for further dialogue.
Where is Naama Levy?
The girl cut by Hamas to prevent escape, gang raped, abducted.
Retweet if you care.#BringHerHome pic.twitter.com/4GzeOwCsJc
— 🇮🇱 Rabbi Zvi Solomons Am Yisrael Chai💛💙🕎 (@RabbiZvi) November 6, 2023
The release of three Israeli women—Romi Gonen, 24; Emily Damari, 28; and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, this past Sunday from captivity in Gaza sparked a fleeting moment of jubilation across Israel. Yet, as The New York Times reported, this collective relief was shadowed by images of Hamas fighters openly parading through the streets of Gaza in a bold demonstration of power. Despite Israeli leaders’ steadfast commitment to dismantling Hamas, the Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to project defiance.
The exchange that facilitated the women’s release involved Israel freeing 90 Palestinians from its prisons. According to the information contained in The New York Times report, this carefully brokered swap formed part of a larger, delicate effort to address the aftermath of a devastating war that has exacted staggering human and political costs on both sides.
The hostilities began with a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, which was one of the deadliest attacks in the country’s history. The assault, which unfolded over a single day, left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and resulted in 250 individuals being taken hostage. In response, Israel launched a massive military campaign targeting Hamas in Gaza.
Despite the recent breakthrough in the release of three hostages, significant challenges remain. Israeli authorities estimate that 94 hostages are still being held in Gaza, a figure that includes soldiers, civilians, women, and even foreign workers, such as Thai nationals. Of these, dozens are presumed dead, compounding the anguish of families awaiting definitive news about their loved ones. The New York Times report highlighted how the continued captivity of these individuals call attention to the incomplete nature of the hostage-release process and the broader diplomatic impasse between Israel and Hamas.
The release of hostages provided a bittersweet respite in a conflict marked by unspeakable tragedy. As The New York Times report emphasized, the scenes of joy in Israel sharply contrasted with the enduring tension on the ground. The parades of Hamas fighters in Gaza served as a stark reminder of the group’s resilience and the complexity of achieving a lasting resolution. While Israeli leaders remain determined to neutralize Hamas, the group’s symbolic and military presence continues to shape the narrative of the conflict.
