The families of Israeli captives Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag have been notified that their daughters, who have been held in Gaza for 475 days, are expected to regain their freedom on Saturday as part of the second phase of hostage releases.
Hamas shared the identities of the four female captives, who are all members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), on Friday. However, the media was requested to refrain from revealing their names until their families were officially informed.
Although the release of these four captives signifies progress in the ongoing ceasefire agreement, it raises concerns as it may potentially breach the terms of the deal. The agreement stipulated that female civilians were to be released before any female soldiers, followed by elderly individuals and men who are injured.
Israeli officials reportedly told the families of the four women that though their daughters have been listed by Hamas for release tomorrow, this could still change.
Officials also apparently spoke with the family of a fifth female IDF soldier still held by Hamas, Agam Berger, as well as Yehud’s family, though it is unclear what was discussed in either conversation.
The four female soldiers set for release on Saturday were believed to have been, at least at one time, held all together along with Berger.
The state of the young women has long remained unknown and concerns of sexual violence against the female Israeli soldiers has remained a persistent issue since their brutal capture from the Nahal Oz post in October 2023.
Video footage on the day of the attack showed the women lined up, bloodied and injured as the Hamas terrorists yelled at them.
Naama Levy has been held hostage for more than a year. (The Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
The women were then loaded into a truck as Hamas terrorists fired guns into the air, and then driven into Gaza.
In exchange for their freedom, Israel has agreed to release a reported 50 Palestinian security prisoners per female soldier, including those facing life sentences for terrorism.
