Sun Jan 26 10:23:26 UTC 2025: ## Four Israeli Soldiers Released in Gaza Hostage Swap

**GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM** – Four Israeli female soldiers, held captive by Hamas since October 7, 2023, were released on Saturday as part of a prisoner exchange deal that ended a period of intense conflict. Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, who were captured during Hamas’s October assault on Israel, were paraded before a large crowd in Gaza City before being transferred to the Red Cross and returned to Israel. Israel, in return, released 200 Palestinian prisoners.

The soldiers’ release followed a harrowing ordeal. Footage of their initial capture, showing them injured and bound, was released by their families earlier this year to pressure the Israeli government for their release. The video, which resurfaced on Israeli social media following the release, depicted the soldiers’ capture in their pajamas, highlighting the brutality of the attack. The soldiers reportedly endured poor living conditions during their 477 days in captivity, which included confinement in civilian apartments and tunnels, and were forced to perform domestic labor for their captors.

While the release of Ariev, Gilboa, Levy, and Albag marks a significant step, the situation remains complex. Three other female soldiers were captured alongside them. Ori Megidish was rescued by Israeli forces in late October 2023, but Noa Marciano was reportedly killed by her captors. The fate of Agam Berger remains unknown, with Israel believing she is still alive and held captive in Gaza.

The Israeli government emphasized that it will not forget the treatment of the released soldiers, stating it will continue efforts to secure the release of any remaining hostages and bring those responsible for the October attacks to justice. The exchange highlights the ongoing complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the human cost of the recent hostilities.

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