After 477 days of captivity in Gaza, four Israeli soldiers have been released by Hamas.
The women—Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev, and Liri Albag—were held hostage for more than 15 months before being handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Saturday.
The group, all in their 20s, were seen stepping out of a Palestinian vehicle and waving joyfully to the crowds in Gaza City.
The soldiers were brought onto a stage, where they were greeted with cheers before being transported to the Gaza border. There, a helicopter awaited to bring them back to Israel.
Within an hour, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) confirmed their arrival in Israeli territory, and they were reunited with their families in an emotional moment.
READ ALSO: Capitol Rioter Turns Down Trump’s Pardon: ‘We Were Wrong That Day’
The IDF later shared that the four women, now safe, had crossed into Israel and were headed to a reception point to meet their parents.
They were then transported for medical checks to ensure their health after such a prolonged ordeal.
Israel’s spokesman Daniel Hagari emphasized in a televised address that while the release of these soldiers was a moment of relief, the nation cannot forget the 90 hostages still held in Gaza.
The return of the four women marks a significant step, but the search for all hostages continues.
As the four women begin their recovery, the IDF and families alike remain hopeful for the return of all those still held in captivity.
