Israel

Four Israeli Soldiers, 200 Palestinians Released

Published JAN 25 2025

Story

Above: Four Israeli hostages, (L-R) Naama Levy, Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa and Karina Ariev, wave on a stage before Hamas fighters hand them over to a team from the Red Cross in Gaza City on Jan. 25, 2025. Image credit: Omar Al-Qattaa/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

Hamas on Saturday freed four female Israeli soldiers — Karina Ariev (20), Daniella Gilboa (20), Naama Levy (20), and Liri Albag (19) — held hostage in Gaza for 477 days since their capture during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Nahal Oz military base.
Reuters
Timesofisrael
The released soldiers were part of Unit 414 of the Field Intelligence Battalion — stationed at a border observation post that was overrun during the attack — where 66 soldiers were killed and seven female soldiers were taken hostage.
NPR Online News
The release ceremony took place in Gaza City's Palestine Square, where the soldiers appeared in military-style uniforms, waving to crowds before being transferred to Red Cross vehicles for their journey back to Israel.
The New York Times
Al Jazeera
As part of the exchange agreement, Israel first freed 70 Palestinian prisoners to Egypt, with Israel's Prison Service later stating it had completed the release of 200 Palestinians (50 for each soldier).
ap
Reuters
Israel said the released Palestinians will not be allowed to return to northern Gaza until the German-Israeli citizen Arbel Yehud is released. Hamas has reportedly said that Yehud is alive and will be released next week.
Guardian
The New Indian Express
Timesofisrael
The exchange was part of a broader six-week ceasefire deal mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, which aims to facilitate the release of hostages and allow increased humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Reuters
NPR Online News

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

While the Israel-Hamas cease-fire may not end the war, the release represents a significant humanitarian achievement, demonstrates the effectiveness of diplomatic negotiations in securing the freedom of hostages, and paves the way for increased humanitarian aid and potentially further exchanges.

People in Need

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Narrative B

The staged nature of the release ceremony — with Hamas fighters prominently displayed and hostages appearing to act under duress — shows the group's cynical exploitation of the situation for propaganda purposes and failure to meet its obligation to first release civilian hostages as agreed.

Reuters