Four Israeli hostages reunited with families in second exchange of ceasefire deal as 200 Palestinian prisoners released

25 January 2025, 09:18 | Updated: 25 January 2025, 17:37

Four Israeli soldiers have been reunited with their families in the second hostage exchange of the Gaza ceasefire which also saw 200 Palestinians released.

Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag were handed to the Red Cross this morning, before being taken back to Israel and reunited with their families.

Surrounded by armed Hamas fighters in Gaza City, all four women smiled as they were guided to Red Cross officials in the second handover of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

200 Palestinian prisoners were released in the hours after the four women were handed to Israel.

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered at the exchange, celebrating the release of prisoners held by the IDF.

"The four returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF special forces and ISA forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment," the IDF said in a statement.

"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."

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he "embraces" the release of the four soldiers.

He said: "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."

After the four women were handed over, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said: "Our mission is not over until every Israeli hostage comes home."

The families of the women have expressed their relief at the soldiers finally being returned home.

The family of Karina Ariev, 20, said: "Our hearts are filled with immense gratitude and joy.

"After 477 tumultuous days of pain, worry, and endless anxiety – we finally got to embrace our beloved Karina, hear her voice, and see her smile that once again fills us with light.

"Our Karina is a symbol of courage, heart, and determination, and we are proud of her beyond words."

Daniella Gilboa's family said in a statement she has "survived 477 days in the hell of Gaza and has finally returned to our family's embrace".

"How we've prayed for this moment!" the statement says, adding that the family sends "prayers and support during this time" to Israelis.

The family adds: "We couldn't have made it through without you."

The 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire will include women, children, sick people and those over 50 - almost all civilians, though the deal also commits Hamas to freeing all living female soldiers in Phase 1.

Under the terms of the ceasefire deal, the 33 hostages are set to be freed over a six week period.

It remains unknown how many hostages have died of the roughly 250 people abducted on October 7.

A number of the hostages are thought to have died in captivity in Gaza.

It comes as relatives of hostages still being held by militants in Gaza have called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure all remaining captives are freed - while also appealing to US President Donald Trump to continue pressing for their release.

As a fragile six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas nears the end of its first week, Israelis waited anxiously for the names of the next four hostages who will be released from among the more than 90 still held in Gaza.

Israel believes about a third, or possibly as many as half, of the more than 90 hostages still in Gaza have died. Hamas has not released definitive information on how many captives are still alive or the names of those who have died.

Under the terms of the deal, Palestinians in Gaza will have more freedom of movement from the north to the south of the enclave.

Civilians in the south will be allowed to take a coastal road to northern Gaza from Saturday, when Israeli troops are expected to withdraw from the key route and Hamas is set to release the next four Israeli hostages.

At least 46,584 Palestinian people have been killed and 109,731 injured since Israel launched its assault on Gaza in the wake of the October 7 attacks in 2023.

The vast majority of those killed in Israel’s bombardments have been women and children.