Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas released four female hostages in second hostages-for-terrorists swap.
Four Israeli hostages — Liri Albag (19), Karina Ariev (20), Daniella Gilboa (20), and Naama Levy (20) — have returned home after 477 days of captivity, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Saturday morning.
Israeli military and security forces accompanied the freed hostages as they left Hamas captivity. “A short while ago, accompanied by IDF and ISA [Israel Security Agency] forces, the four returning hostages crossed the border into Israeli territory,” the Israeli military announced Saturday morning. “The returning hostages are currently on their way to an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with their parents.”
The hostage were reunited with their families at an IDF facility near Gaza border. “They are in safe hands and on their way home,” IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari assured. “They joined IDF and Shin Bet forces in Gaza and have now arrived at the Re’im reception center to meet their parents.”
The Times of Israel reports:
Released hostage soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag have crossed the border into Israel, the IDF says.They were escorted out of the Gaza Strip by Israeli special forces after they were handed over to them by the Red Cross.The IDF is bringing them to a facility near the border for an initial checkup and to meet with their parents for the first time after 477 days in Hamas captivity.
All four hostages released today were abducted on October 7, 2023, by Hamas terrorists from the Nahal Oz army base near the Israel-Gaza border.
The image of 19-year-old Naama Levy became symbolic of Hamas’ atrocities on October 7, as a terrorist was seen dragging her by the hair from the back of a pickup truck. Naama’s hands were tied behind her back and her pants were soaked in blood. The Hamas terrorist grimaced at the cameras as he pushed her around at gunpoint.
Hamas once again used the hostage release for a depraved photo op, with thousands of terror-supporting Gazans jeering the captives as they were paraded on a stage before the handover.
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