They are the Israeli soldiers who were freed by Hamas after more than a year of captivity

Four female soldiers kidnapped by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023 while carrying out their military service near the Gaza border were released this Saturday, after more than 15 months of captivity.

Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy were reunited with their families in Israelthe army reported, and the crowd cried with joy as they gathered to see his release in a Tel Aviv square known as Hostage Square.

The four women, aged between 19 and 20, were captured together while deployed in a surveillance unit at the Nahal Oz military base, near the Gaza border. The militants filmed his kidnapping.

(Also read: Ceasefire in Gaza: Israel released the first 90 Palestinian prisoners.)

Three other female soldiers were taken hostage with them: Agam Berger, who is still detained in Gaza and presumed alive; Noa Marciano, whose body has been repatriated to Israel; and Ori Megidish, who was released alive by the Israeli army at the end of October 2023.

Liri Albag, 19 years old

According to media reports, previously released hostages told Liri Albag’s parents that her captors forced her to cook, clean and babysit.

The Jerusalem Post reported in July that she had passed messages to her family via hostages who had been released, telling her sister Shai not to cancel her traditional post-military trip and, above all, not to touch her favorite shoes.

In January, he appeared in a roughly three-and-a-half-minute video posted by Hamas.

“He loves traveling, singing, photography and cooking,” Israeli campaign group Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.

His parents, Shira and Eli Albag, have campaigned for the hostages’ release.

Karina Ariev, 20 years old

A video of Karina Ariev’s capture showed her injured. In January 2024, a new video posted by Hamas on Telegram showed her alongside hostage Daniella Gilboa. Ariev served 20 years in captivity.

“She dreams of becoming a psychologist and is known for being compassionate and bringing people together,” said the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.

Daniella Gilboa, 20 years old

Daniella Gilboa, from Petah Tikva, was identified as a hostage by the clothes she was wearing in the videos she sent to her boyfriend the morning of the attack. Gilboa also served 20 years in captivity.

She “is a passionate musician who studies piano and singing, and aspires to pursue a professional career in music,” the Forum said.

Naama Levy, 20 years old

In a video of her capture released by Hamas, Naama Levy is seen being escorted to a vehicle in pants that appeared to be covered in blood. In other images, the granddaughter of Nazi concentration camp survivors appears with a swollen face.

She is the second of four daughters and grew up in India, where she studied at an international school in the United States. As a child, she participated in the Hands of Peace program, which promotes peace between Israeli and Palestinian youth.

Levy, now 20, is a triathlon enthusiast. “Her family and friends describe her as a sweet and quiet person, but full of light, joy, strength and determination,” the Forum states.