The four returning hostages—Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev—have arrived at the initial reception point in southern Israel, where they are being reunited with their parents, the IDF announced on Saturday.
Officers from the Manpower Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the returning hostages, who will undergo an initial medical assessment.
IDF representatives are accompanying their families at the hospital and providing them with the latest updates .
Meanwhile, Liri Albag's close friends—Eliya Diskin, Tal Dinament, Agam Harpaz, and Noam Gabai—gathered at Tal Dinament’s home in Matan, filled with anticipation for Liri’s release after more than a year and three months in Hamas captivity. Asked what they would say to her upon her return, Noam said, "We will hug her and tell her everything is okay."
Liri’s father, Eli Albag, wrote ahead of her release: "Our hearts are with the families of Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud, Shiri Bibas, and all the other hostages who must be freed as soon as possible. We will fight until the last hostage is freed. We will fight until everyone comes back."
After Liri returned to Israeli territory, the family wrote, "A wave of relief and joy envelops us after 477 long, unbearable days of nerve-wracking waiting. Finally, we've been able to see Liri, embrace her, and know she's with us, safe, surrounded by the love of her family.
"Liri demonstrated superhuman strength and survived hell, and we are so proud of her steadfast endurance under impossible conditions."
While the family expressed their immense joy and relief to see Liri returned, they also drew attention to the ongoing plight of the other hostages and their families - namely of Arbel Yehoud, who Israel had anticipated being released today, fellow IDF observer Agam Berger and the Bibas family.
"Our thoughts are with them, even in these moments of joy, and we are determined to fight until the last hostage returns home," the Albag family said.
Even in this hour of reunion with Liri, our thoughts are with the families still enduring this unimaginable nightmare. We will continue to act in every possible way until everyone returns, because unity and love will triumph.
At Tal Dinament’s family home, the gathering highlighted the emotional rollercoaster they have experienced. Speaking to Maariv, Tal shared: "We are insanely excited; we’ve waited for Liri for so long. We’re just waiting to hug her and jump on her. She’ll come back, and we’ll hug her, and she’ll recover, and whatever she needs will happen."
The group added: "First, we’ll hug her, tell her everything is okay, and that we’re here by her side through this process. Slowly, she’ll catch up on everything that happened this year and all we’ve done for her. The main thing is to be together; the main thing is that she’ll be here. We’ve been friends for so many years, from kindergarten through school. It’s shocking and surreal—we still can’t fully process it."
Reflecting on her qualities, they said: "Liri is strong, funny, sociable, and optimistic. It’s the best feeling in the world to be around her. Everyone who meets Liri falls in love with her. We can’t wait to be with her again. We miss her so much." Despite their excitement, they admitted their apprehensions: "We’re also scared. It’s unsettling because we don’t know what to expect. But no matter what, we’ll support her. The main thing is that she’s coming back."
Who is Liri Albag?
Liri, 19, the youngest woman currently held captive by Hamas, is the daughter of Eli and Shira Albag and the sister of Roni, Shai, and Guy. She was abducted from her bed at the Nahal Oz military post on October 7 while wearing pajamas.
From the outset, her family has led the fight for her return and for the release of all hostages. "We will treat her physical injuries and her mental wounds—just bring her back whole," her family said.
A bright, vibrant young woman, Liri dreams of studying interior design or architecture and spending a year in Paris. Her father shared during an earlier interview: "Seeing your youngest daughter like that, with her spirit broken, is indescribable. The image shattered our family into pieces. You think, 'What is she going through? She’s only 18.' Her eyes say it all." The time since then has felt endless.
Earlier footage of Liri, released in May, showed her and other observation soldiers—Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa, Karina Ariev, and Naama Levy—being abducted. In the video, Liri, injured and tied up, tries to communicate with her captors with a mix of panic and composure. Additional footage revealed in July showed Liri sitting on a mattress, wearing a pink shirt and covered with a black blanket, her eyes void of life.
As preparations for her release unfolded, the mother of Noam Abramovitch, another observation soldier, shared a photo of Liri with Naama and her daughter Noam, writing: "This is how I want to remember them."
חברותיה של דניאלה גלבוע צופות ברגעי ההעברה לצלב האדום@AnnaPines_ pic.twitter.com/nLXRhDYWzU
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) January 25, 2025
Karina Ariev
Karina's family released a statement shortly after she arrived in hospital, expressing, "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," they added. "We want to deeply thank everyone who stood by us along the way – everyone who sent prayers, support, and love. Your support was our anchor of strength in the darkest times...Karina, you are our light. We love you to infinity."
Much like Liri's family, the Ariev clan said their hearts were also "with Agam Berger's family and the other women still waiting for their miracle.
"We will not rest until everyone returns home. We will continue to act and support, through love and faith that we're all in this together," they promised.
Daniella Gilboa
Friends of Daniella Gilboa also celebrated as they watched her handed off from Hamas captivity to the hands of the Red Cross - and Daniella's family has expressed a surplus of joy since she returned to Israel.
"Blessed are you, our God, who has provided us with life, and sustained us, and brought us to this moment," the Gilboa family issued in a statement. "Our Daniella, Nushi, 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!
"We pray for Agam's swift return and for all those still held captive," they added. "Thank you, people of Israel, for all your prayers and support during this time - we couldn't have made it through without you."