Hostage families demonstrate in Tel Aviv, as reunited families celebrate
Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, and Naama Levy released from Hamas captivity • IDF: Concern over Bibas family's wellbeing
Karina Ariev reunites with her family for the first time in 477 days
Karina Ariev returned to Israel on Saturday after spending nearly 500 days as a hostage in Hamas captivity.
The family of released hostage Karina Ariev expressed immense joy on Saturday, celebrating that they "finally got to embrace our beloved Karina, hear her voice, and see her smile that once again fills us with light."
WATCH: Karina Ariev’s parents finally embrace their daughter after she was released from Gaza captivity earlier today.
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) January 25, 2025
📷 @IDF pic.twitter.com/w0pca8MLhq
Herzog to ex-hostages: 'An entire nation weeps and rejoices with you'
Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the four former hostages released on Saturday from Hamas in a post to X/Twitter.
"An entire nation weeps and rejoices with you at this moment. We are overjoyed to see you smiling and finally reunited with your wonderful families. We pray that you find strength in your journey of healing and recovery.
Herzog also noted the concerns of the families of Arbel Yehoud and Agam Berger, who are still in captivity, as well as the well-being of the Bibas family.
"We will not rest until we bring back all our sisters and brothers from the hell of captivity in Gaza," he added.
Four former hostages land at Beilinson Hospital
The four former hostages Karina Ariev, Naama Levy, Liri Albag, and Daniella Gilboa, landed at Beilinson Hospital on early Saturday afternoon, the Health Ministry announced.
'The whole country embraces you': Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomes released hostages
Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed the return of the four female hostages who were released on Saturday in a post on X/Twitter.
"The whole country embraces you and salutes the families of the heroes who worked every day until this moving moment," he wrote. "I thank the heroic IDF soldiers, the security forces, and everyone who worked to achieve this national goal.
"We will not relent or give up, and we will do everything until all the hostages, both living and dead, are returned to Israel."
Israel procrastinating in northern border withdrawal, Lebanese army claims
The Lebanese army, in a statement issued on Saturday, also urged Lebanese residents to wait before heading into the border region, citing the presence of mines and unexploded Israeli ordnance.
Lebanon's army accused Israel of procrastinating in withdrawing troops from south Lebanon as required under a ceasefire that ended the war with Hezbollah, a day after Israel said its forces would remain beyond a Sunday deadline for their departure.
The Lebanese army, in a statement issued on Saturday, also urged Lebanese residents to wait before heading into the border region, citing the presence of mines and unexploded Israeli ordnance.
Go to the full article >>Israel: Gazans barred from returning north until civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud freed
A Hamas official told Reuters that Yehoud, who was 28 at the time of her abduction, is still alive and will be released next Saturday.
Israel will not allow Gazans to cross into the northern Gaza Strip until hostage Arbel Yehoud is released from captivity, the Prime Minister's Office said on Saturday afternoon.
"Israel today received four female soldiers kidnapped from the Hamas terrorist organization, and in exchange, will release security prisoners according to the agreed-upon deal," the PMO stated. "In accordance with the agreement, Israel will not allow Gazans to cross into the northern Gaza Strip - until the release of civilian Arbel Yehoud, who was supposed to be released today, is arranged."
Go to the full article >>'Tears of joy': Ex-hostage Mia Schem joyous over hostage release
Former hostage Mia Schem, who was released during the November 2023 hostage-prisoner swap, expressed her joy over the release of her former fellow captives from Hamas captivity.
"Tears of joy, how I waited," Schem stated.
Arbel Yehoud will be released next week, Hamas says
A female Israeli civilian held hostage in the Gaza Strip will be released next week, Hamas informed mediators, after Israel said she should have been freed on Saturday, a Hamas official told Reuters.
The hostage, Arbel Yehoud, will be released next Saturday, the official said.
Go to the full article >>WATCH: Four former hostages meet with IDF personnel in Israeli territory
WATCH: Four former hostages enter Israeli territory with the IDF
Israel at war: What you need to know
- Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
- Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Re'im music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities.
- 94 hostages remain in Gaza.
- 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says.
- The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30.
- The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4:00 a.m.
- Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire on January 17, 2025
- 735 terrorists will be released as part of the hostage deal