Jerusalem:
Four young female soldiers, kidnapped by Palestinian operators on October 7, 2023 while they served near the border with Gaza, will be released on Saturday, according to a list provided by Hamas as part of the cease-fire agreement with Israel.
Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy were imprisoned together while they were deployed in a security unit on the Military Base Nahal Oz, close to the border with Gaza.
Their kidnapping was filmed by the operators.
Three other female soldiers were held hostage with them: Agam Berger, who is still being held in Gaza and is probably alive; Noa Marciano, whose body has since been repatriated to Israel; and Ori Megidish, who was released alive by the Israeli army at the end of October 2023.
Liri Alba, 19
Liri Albag held her military service on the border with the Gaza Strip when she was abducted from the Nahal OZ base.
According to press releases, hostages who had previously released her parents told that albag was forced by her kidnappers to cook, clean and fit.
The Jerusalem Post reported in July that she had passed on reports to her family through released hostages, in which she told her sister Shai not to cancel her traditional journey after the army and especially not touch her favorite shoes.
In January she appeared in a video of about three and a half minutes that was released by Hamas.
“She likes traveling, singing, photography and cooking,” said the Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in a statement.
Her parents Shira and Eli Albag have campaigned for the release of the hostages.
Karina Ariev, 20
Karina Ariev was abducted while she held her military service at the border with Gaza.
A video of her capture showed that she was injured. She was shown in January 2024 in a new video released by Hamas on Telegram, together with hostage but Daniella Gilboa. She became twenty in captivity.
“She dreams of becoming a psychologist and is known for her condolences and bringing people together,” said Hostage and Missing Families Forum.
Daniella Gilboa, 20
Daniella Gilboa from Petah Tikva was abducted while she held her military service along the border with Gaza.
She was identified as a hostage with the clothing she wore in videos she sent the morning of the attack to her friend.
Gilboa, who turned twenty in captivity, was shown in January 2024 together with hostage agent Karina Ariev in a video that Hamas published on the social network Telegram.
Gilboa “is a passionate musician who studies piano and singing and strives for a professional career in music,” said the forum.
Naama Levy, 20
Naama Levy, now 20, was abducted while she held her military service along the border with Gaza.
In a video of her arrest released by Hamas, she is guided to a vehicle while wearing pants that seems to be under the blood. Other images show the granddaughter of survivors of the Nazi destruction camps with a swollen face.
As a second child of four, she grew up in India, where she studied at an American international school. As a child she participated in the Hands of Peace program, which promotes peace between young Israelis and Palestinians.
She is an avid triathlete.
“Family and friends describe her as gentle and calm, yet full of light, joy, strength and determination,” said the forum.
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