Four female IDF soldiers abducted from the Nahal Oz outpost were returned to Israel today (Saturday) after being freed from captivity in Gaza, after being held hostage by Hamas for 477 days.
As the second set of hostages freed under the latest release deal, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev, and Liri Albag received medical treatments and were reunited with their families. After the release of these four, 90 hostages currently remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
An Emotional Reunion After 477 Days
The IDF “Salutes and Embraces” the Freed Soldiers
By 8:31 AM this morning, the IDF, led by the Personnel Directorate and the Medical Corps, completed its preparations to receive the returning hostages, and by 10:15 AM, Air Force helicopters were ready to carry out the reception. At 11:16 AM, the International Red Cross reported that four Israeli hostages had been transferred into their care and were on their way to meet IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip.
At 11:36 AM, the IDF Spokesperson reported: “The four returnees are currently accompanied by an elite IDF unit and a Shin Bet force on their way to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical examination.” He also stated that the IDF “salutes and embraces the returnees on their way home” and urged the public “to respect the privacy of the returning hostages and their families.”
By 11:51 AM, the security forces and the hostages crossed into Israeli territory and proceeded to the reception point in the surrounding area. By 12:24 PM, Daniela Gilboa, Liri Elbag, Naama Levi, and Karina Ariev arrived at the reception point and were at last reunited with their parents. IDF Personnel Directorate and medical personnel conducted an initial medical evaluation at this location.
Footage of the First Encounter with the IDF Team:
At 2:15 PM, the four soldiers and their parents were flown by Air Force helicopter to a hospital where they met the rest of their family members and received medical treatment.
Bringing Them Home: “What a Great Privilege”
The IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari published a moving message which had been relayed to the helicopter crew. “Understand the great privilege you have, and the immense responsibility you have been given, to collect our hostages and fly them safely to the hospital,” the crew was told.
Hagari also released a video statement, avowing: “Today, as part of these ongoing efforts, we welcomed home four more Israeli hostages after 477 days in Hamas captivity… our mission is not over until every single hostage comes home.”
IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari’s Statement:
Photo: IDF Spokesperson
President Herzog: “A Teary Eye and a Joyful Heart”
President Isaac Herzog posted on his X account:
“Daniela, Liri, Naama, and Karina – you are heroes! Welcome back.
We watched you smiling and wept. An entire nation weeps and rejoices with you at this moment. We are overjoyed to finally see you reunited with your wonderful families and pray that you find the strength for the healing and rehabilitation process, surrounded by endless love and support.
‘A teary eye and a joyful heart’ – at this moment, our hearts are with the Bibas, Yehud, and Berger families, and with all the families who are anxious and worried. We will not rest or stay silent until we bring back all our brothers and sisters from the hell of captivity in Gaza – the living, to rehabilitation and their families, and the fallen, to a proper burial in Israel.”
