FOUR Israeli female hostages are set to be freed today from Hamas’ claws in the second swap of the fragile ceasefire deal.
Soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag were kidnapped on October 7 at the Nahal Oz military base.
The women, all in their teens and early twenties, endured 477 days of unimaginable hell in Gaza.
Horror videos previously released by Hamas terrorists showed them bloodied, bound, and begging for help after being snatched in the deadly attacks.
Preparations are now being made for the release of the hostages, as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that the soldiers will initially be taken to an army facility near the Gaza border. Here, they will undergo medical and psychological assessments before being sent on to hospitals for further treatment.
Their desperate families are said to be already en route to meet their daughters there for the first time in more than a year.
The IDF has issued a statement, urging the public to be patient and considerate, and to respect the privacy of the hostages and their families. This message was shared on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Hamas is expected to hand over the women to the Red Cross in Gaza City by noon local time, Palestinian sources told Israeli outlet Channel 13.
In Gaza City, a group of masked and armed individuals from Hamas and Islamic Jihad have gathered at a central square. It is reported that these individuals will be involved in transferring the four Israeli women hostages to the Red Cross at this location.
They were seen carrying assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers gathered in rows.
Many were carrying their groups’ banners and wearing Palestinian-coloured headbands, as crowds of Gaza residents gathered around them to watch.
Daniela, 20, was wounded during her abduction and later appeared in propaganda videos showing her injuries.
Naama, also 20, was seen bleeding heavily in her kidnapping footage, her grey joggers stained red.
Liri, 19, had only been stationed at Nahal Oz for three days before being taken, while Karina, another 20-year-old surveillance soldier, was abducted in the chaos of the pre-dawn attack.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas will release the four women in exchange for 180 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed their identities after senior Hamas officials disclosed their names.
The deal marks the second of four planned hostage releases, with the first exchange on January 18 freeing three captives, including Brit Emily Damari.
As part of the phased agreement, 33 more hostages, including women, children, and elderly men, are expected to be freed over six weeks.
Meanwhile, the fate of other captives remains uncertain.
The Bibas brothers, aged two and five, are among those still in Hamas custody, raising fears that some hostages may face longer waits for freedom.
Ariel Bibas, five, and his brother Kfir, two, and their parents – Yarden and Shiri – are on the list of hostages to be released in the first six-week phase of the ceasefire.
But their family recently revealed they have no idea if the young boys are dead or alive, after no proof of life has been provided by Hamas.
While hopes run high for today’s release, the IDF warns the road ahead remains fragile.
Red Cross vehicles have already started moving towards Kerem Shalom, signalling the exchange may be imminent.
The exchange tomorrow follows the release of three hostages, which were taken and held in hell by Hamas, on Saturday 18 January.
One of the freed was Brit Emily Damari, who emotionally reunited with her mother after 471 agonising days apart.
Under the terms of the fragile ceasefire agreement, there will be two more sets of releases following today’s.
