Israel and Hamas are set to swap more hostages for prisoners in another test of the Gaza ceasefire
Associated PressJan 24
Four Israeli Soldiers, 200 Palestinians Released
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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 copyright: 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
