Four female Israeli hostages seen for first time as they are freed by Hamas | World | News

Four Israeli soldier hostages have been released from Gaza and are now in the safe hands of the IDF.

Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag were all seen in military uniform, surrounded by masked Hamas terrorists in Gaza, as they were paraded before their handover to the Red Cross.

The women were exchanged with 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

It is the second such exchange following the ceasefire agreement between the two sides.

A joint statement by the IDF and Israeli Security Authorities (ISA) said the hostages will now undergo an initial medical assessment as they make their way into Israel.

“The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the state of Israel,” the statement said.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lauded the release, saying the government “embraces the four returning Israeli Defence Forces soldiers”.

It added: “The Israeli government is committed to the return of all abducted and missing persons.

“The government, together with all security agencies, will accompany them and their families.”

In the first exchange, which took place last week, British-Israeli Emily Damari was among the three hostages brought home.

The 28-year-old, who was shot in the hand during the October 7 terror attacks, was handed over to the Red Cross, similarly surrounded by disguised Hamas terrorists.

As she and two other Israeli hostages were transported out of Gaza, they were mobbed by a baying crowd of young men.