Hamas has announced plans to release four female Israeli hostages—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—on Sunday as part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement. All four women, aged between 19 and 20, are soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces and were abducted during the conflict on October 7 from the Nahal-Oz military base.
The planned release is set to involve an exchange of these hostages for up to 50 Palestinian prisoners, including individuals serving life sentences for terrorism. However, the Israeli government has expressed concerns that the list of hostages released by Hamas does not meet the terms of the agreement, which stipulates that at least one of the hostages should be a civilian.
This exchange follows the release of three other hostages last week as part of the same agreement, along with the anticipated release of additional hostages in the coming phases. Among those awaiting release are two American citizens, Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen.
The situation surrounding the hostages has garnered significant attention, particularly due to troubling footage that emerged following their abduction, raising concerns of potential abuse. Reports indicate that Levy, who was previously involved with humanitarian organizations, has not been a victim of sexual violence during her captivity.
The families of the hostages continue to express their hopes for their safe return. Gilboa's boyfriend has reportedly sought permission to propose to her, while Ariev's family is focused on maintaining their strength during this difficult time. Albag, who had just started her service when she was taken, has described her experience as a "nightmare." The future of the remaining hostages in Gaza remains uncertain as negotiations continue.