Hamas releases four Israeli hostages in second exchange under ceasefire: Who are they?

The four soldiers—Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Naama Levy, 20; and Liri Albag, 19—were working as military spotters when they were abducted during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which marked the beginning of the conflict.

Hostages released today:

Naama Levy, 20

Naama Levy was in the early stages of her military service when she was abducted on October 7. Video footage from the day shows her being pushed into a jeep, where she was heard saying, “I have friends in Palestine.” In her younger years, she participated in the “Hands of Peace” delegation, which brings together Americans, Israelis and Palestinians to work on coexistence.

Her family expressed concern that she may have been held in isolation, as video evidence suggested she was taken separately from her fellow soldiers.

Daniella Gilboa, 20

Fond of playing piano, Daniella Gilboa sustained injuries during the October 7 attack and was seen limping in the footage of her capture. In a video release by Hamas last year, Gilboa was seen appealing angrily to the government to work for her release, saying, she feels abandoned.

After the kidnapping, Gilboa’s parents changed her name from Danielle to Daniella, a Jewish tradition that is believed to bring God’s protection. Gilbola studied music in high school and dreams of being a singer, according to the Israeli media.

Liri Albag, 19

Liri Albag was taken hostage just a day and a half after beginning her military service, Israeli media reported. Earlier this month, Albag was featured in a video by Hamas pleading for her release. Her family said the video was “difficult to watch” because of her obvious emotional distress.

Her parents were particularly active in the protest movement pushing the Israeli government for a deal with Hamas to bring the hostages home.“Liri, if you’re hearing us, tell the others that all the families are moving heaven and earth and want their children home, and we will fight until all hostages are returned,” her father said in a statement after the video was released.

Karina Ariev, 20

Before her abduction, Karina Ariev sent a message to her family, saying, “If I don’t live, take care of mom and dad all their lives. Don’t give up, live.”

Known for her love of cooking, singing, dancing, and poetry, Ariev appeared in a January 2024 video alongside Daniella Gilboa and Doron Steinbrecher, another hostage who was released last weekend.

Earlier this week, Hamas released three hostages: Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28), and Doron Steinbrecher (31).

The hostage release is part of a 42-day ceasefire deal that took effect on Sunday, following a prolonged 15-month conflict that claimed the lives of over 46,600 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities. Under the agreement, Hamas committed to releasing 33 of nearly 100 remaining hostages in exchange for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and a partial Israeli withdrawal.

(With inputs from AP and Reuters)