After 477 Days in Captivity: Liri, Naama, Daniella, and Karina Return Home to Israel

Four of the five IDF lookouts kidnapped during the October 7 massacre from the Nahal Oz military post were released from Hamas captivity on Saturday, January 25. 

Liri Albag (19), Naama Levy (20), Karina Ariev (20), and Daniella Gilboa (20), were brought to Israel from Gaza by the Red Cross - the same Red Cross that refused to visit them during the 15 months they were held in captivity.  The fifth lookout, Agam Berger, is still held by Hamas.

The four hostages were turned over to the Red Cross at the center of Falastin Square in Gaza, as the square was full of terrorists watching. 

The IDF and ISA said that an elite unit and an ISA force accompanied the four young women on their way home, ahead of an initial medical assessment. 

Following their arrival, the hostages and their parents “boarded an Israeli Air Force helicopter to make their way to the hospital, where they will be reunited with the rest of their families and receive medical treatment.”  

The helicopters were equipped with dry-erase boards, appropriate markers, and blankets and headphones. Lt. Col. A. stressed to the team, “Understand the immense privilege you have, and above all, the great responsibility you bear — to receive the returning hostages and safely fly them to the hospital.” (INN / VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for mediating the release of four additional hostages. We are grateful to You for helping them persevere, strengthening, and comforting them. We pray in Yeshua’s name that they will have a smooth transition into today’s reality and that You will heal them and give them the rest they need. May You erase all hurtful memories from their minds and allow them to grieve the time and people they lost during this tragic ordeal.”