Finally home: Four Israeli hostages are freed from Hamas captivity, reunited with their families
17:58 - WATCH: Freed hostages reunite with their families
The Israeli military published footage of the moments when the freed hostages were reunited with their families.
They’re in our hands now and we are not letting go💛
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 25, 2025
Welcome home, Daniella, Liri, Karina and Naama. pic.twitter.com/A1V9FcbQY6
17:53 - Four Israeli hostages for 200 Palestinian prisoners: Qatar announces second phase of ceasefire deal is complete
A spokesman for Qatar, which functioned as a mediator for the agreement, announced that the second phase of the ceasefire was completed after Hamas released four Israeli hostages in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, who were released by Israel.
15:28 - Freed hostage are transported to Beilinson Hospital to start rehabilitation
After meeting their parents at near the border with Gaza, the freed hostages were taken by helicopter to Beilinson hospital, where they will meet their extended family, undergo medical examinations and begin their rehabilitiation.
A hug 477 days in the making. pic.twitter.com/GVfiT8iWus
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 25, 2025
13:14 - Freed hostage Liri Albag's family: 'We finally got to hug Liri'
The family of Liri Albag, one of the four freed hostages, released a statement confirming they were finally reunited: "A sense of relief and happiness envelops us after 477 long and unbearable days of nerve-wracking waiting."
"We finally got to see Liri, hug her and know that she is with us, in her safe place, surrounded by the love of her family. Liri showed superpowers and survived hell, and we are so proud of her for her steadfastness in the impossible conditions."
"Even at this hour, when we were able to be reunited with Liri, our thoughts are with the families who are still going through this unimaginable nightmare. We will continue to act in every way possible until everyone returns, because unity and love will prevail," the Albag family said.
13:08 - WATCH: Freed hostages are handed over to Israeli troops
The IDF published footage of the moments when the four freed hostages were handed over to Israeli troops by the Red Cross.
This is the moment 🫶
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 25, 2025
Welcome home Liri, Daniella, Karina and Naama. 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/1DAbWX9Ix4
13:05 - Hamas claims Israeli civilian Arbel Yehud will be released next week
A senior Hamas source told Al Jazeera: "We informed the mediators that Arbel Yehud is alive and will be released next Saturday."
In addition, a source in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad confirmed his group is holding Yehud.
Israel had demanded that Yehud, as one of two civilian women remaining in captivity, be released this weekend. In response to Hamas's violation of the ceaesfire terms, Israel announced it would not allow Gazan civilians to return to the northern part of the strip.
13:03 - Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomes freed hostages home
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: "Danielle Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev – welcome home!"
"Together with the entire people of Israel, my wife and I embrace you with all our hearts! We will continue to work to return all our hostages home – both the living and the dead," Netanyahu added.
12:57 - IDF warns Gazans not to return north, troops remain in Netzarim Corridor
After the Israeli government announced it would not withdraw the IDF troops stationed in the Netzarim Corridor due to Hamas violating the ceasefire terms, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi confirmed that the army remains deployed in the corridor.
At the end of security assessment with the commanders of all active fronts, the IDF stated that Halevi "sharpened the deployment and readiness of the forces in the area until a different decision is made."
"The IDF also warns the Gazan public not to approach the area until it is opened."
The Netzarim Corridor cuts off the northern part of the Gaza Strip, which has been largely evacuated of civilians during intense fighting in recent months.
12:43 - IDF spokesman: 'Grave concern' over fate of Bibas family
IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari said Israel has "very serious concern for the fate of Shiri and the children of the Bibas family," during a televised speech earlier today.
He praised the return of the four freed IDF soldiers from Hamas captivity, while adding that Israel remains committed to the return of Agam Berger, the fifth IDF soldier who was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base on Oct. 7, 2023.
12:36 - WATCH: Freed hostages cross border into Israeli territory
The IDF released footage showing the army convoy carrying the former hostages crossing into Israeli territory earlier today.
רגעי חציית ארבע השבות לשטח מדינת ישראל pic.twitter.com/EXQ8Aoqxtf
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 25, 2025
12:33 - Israel will not allow Gazans to return north until return of civilian hostages
In response to Hamas' violation of the ceasefire agreement by releasing the four IDF soldiers instead of the remaining civilian hostages, Israel will not allow Gazans to return to the northern part of the strip, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) stated.
"Israel today received four female soldiers kidnapped from the Hamas terrorist organization, and in exchange will release security prisoners according to the agreed-upon key," the statement read.
"In accordance with the agreement, Israel will not allow Gazans to cross into the northern Gaza Strip - until the release of civilian Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be released today, is arranged," the PMO said.
12:29 - The freed hostages are reunited with their parents
The four freed hostages have been reunited with their parents at the IDF's initial reception point near the Gaza border, the military said.
"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."
"IDF officers from the Manpower Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the returning hostages, and they will undergo an initial medical assessment."
"IDF representatives are accompanying their families waiting at the hospital and updating them with the latest available information," the IDF said.
12:24 - WATCH: The hostages' parents see their daughters on TV for the first time
The IDF released footage showing the parents of the freed hostages seeing their loved ones on TV for the first time since they were kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023.
The parents are waiting in an IDF base near the border, and will soon meet their daughters, who are being taken to the base in these moments.
The moment when tears of sadness turned into tears of joy as the released hostages’ families saw their loved ones finally coming back home 💛 pic.twitter.com/AvvByt9chZ
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 25, 2025
12:21 - Four freed hostages are in good medical condition
The four freed hostages underwent initial medical examinations and were found to be in good condition, Israeli media outlets reported.
12:17 - Freed hostage Naama Levy's family: 'We are happy and excited'
The family of the former hostage Naama Levy transmitted this statement through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum: "We are happy and excited to see Naama back on her feet and back with us."
"Our hearts go out to the Berger and Yehud families who are waiting for their loved ones. We will not give up until the last of the kidnapped is returned."
Agam Berger is the last of the five female IDF soldiers kidnapped from the Nahal Oz outpost on Oct. 7, 2023.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Arbel Yehud was supposed to be freed from captivity today.
11:51 - Freed hostages reach Israeli territory
The four freed hostages have reached Israeli territory, the IDF announced.
"The four returning soldiers, Danielle Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev, have now crossed the border into Israeli territory together with IDF and Shin Bet forces."
"The returnees, accompanied by IDF and Shin Bet forces, recently crossed the border into the territory of the State of Israel and are currently on their way to the initial reception point in the Gaza Strip, where they will meet their parents," the military stated.
Liri, Daniella, Naama and Karina Are Home. pic.twitter.com/MzmgLtTWLQ
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 25, 2025
11:40 - Israeli government praises return of freed hostages
The Israeli government welcomed the return of the four released hostages.
"Their families have been informed by the designated authorities that they have joined our forces. The Israeli government is committed to the return of all the kidnapped and missing," the Prime Minister's Office announced.
"A list of those released: Karina Ariev (20), Danielle Gilboa (20), Naama Levy (20), and Liri Albag (19)."
"The government, together with all security agencies, will accompany them and their families. 'I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death,' Hosea 13:14."
11:35 – Four hostages are received by Israeli troops, are being taken to Israel
“The four returnees have now been transferred to the IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip,” the IDF declared.
“The four returnees are currently being escorted by an elite IDF and Shin Bet unit on their way to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical evaluation.”
“IDF commanders and soldiers are saluting and embracing the returnees on their way to Israel. The IDF spokesperson asks the public to show responsibility and sensitivity and respect the privacy of the returnees and their families.”
11:15 – IDF: Red Cross has received four Israeli hostages and is taking them to IDF troops
The Israeli military confirmed that the four female IDF soldiers who were held as hostages by Hamas are now on the way to Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip.
“The Red Cross reported that four kidnapped Israeli women have been handed over to it, and they are making their way to IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip,” the military stated.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
