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Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners on Saturday — after the four were abducted and forced to spend 15 months in Hamas captivity.

Israel agreed to accept the four hostages despite accusing Hamas of violating the precarious cease-fire deal because one of the two civilian hostages still captive in Gaza was not on the list of names to be released Saturday.

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IDF squashes parties celebrating return of Palestinian prisoners in West Bank, including at one freed man's home: report

By Katherine Donlevy

The IDF is shutting down parties and parades in the West Bank celebrating the release of Palestinian prisoners, The Times of Israel reported.

Troops have already cleared out a marquee in the village of al-Mughayyir that was planning a celebration, as well as seized Hamas flags in Bayt Liqya.

The IDF also broke up a parade in Kafr ‘Aqab in East Jerusalem.

One such squashed party was held at the home of a released prisoner, a source told the outlet.

The IDF and Shin Bet, the Israeli intelligence agency, reportedly warned the prisoners' families they were prohibited from any celebrations — and that troops would visit their homes to prevent any activities.

Protesters in Tel Aviv demand remaining 90 hostages be returned home

By Katherine Donlevy

Protesters stormed Tel Aviv Saturday demanding that the Israeli government bring home the remaining 90 hostages being held by Hamas.

The crowds carried signs depicting the remaining prisoners' names and a large banner reading "Make it happen" in the hours after four women were freed from captivity.

It is still not known whether the remaining 90 hostages in Hamas captivity are all alive.

Demonstrators raise placards and chant slogans during a protest calling for the release of hostages held captive in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images
It is still not known if all of the remaining 90 hostages in Hamas captivity are alive. AFP via Getty Images
Israelis carry signs at a protest with the names of hostages still being held in Gaza. REUTERS

Most Americans want cease-fire deal to include Hamas overthrow: survey

Americans overwhelmingly believe Hamas should be removed from power as part of the final cease-fire deal, according to a survey published Thursday.

Israel on Campus Coalition researchers found that 57% of US adults — regardless of political party affiliations — "believe a deal must mandate Hamas’ removal."

The sentiment is slightly stronger among Republicans, with 64% agreeing with the idea compared to 54% among both Democrats and Independents.

The prospect could be propelled by an even sturdier sentiment: 70% of Americans believe "Hamas is a terrorist organization that wrongly attacks, kidnaps, and murders innocent civilians," rather than an entity that advances the Palestinian cause.

Similarly, 70% of American adults support Israel's right to defend itself.

The survey, done in partnership with Schoen Cooperman Research, was published this week after conducting interviews at the start of the 2023 war, between Jan. 10 and 13 of this year, as well as on Jan. 16 — the day after the ceasefire deal was announced.

Family of Hamas hostage Agam Berger thanks supporters after fellow captives are brought home: 'We are one big family!'

By Katherine Donlevy

The family of Agam Berger, a Hamas hostage still in captivity, thanked the public for its outpouring of support after her fellow four female IDF soldiers were released Saturday.

“Thank you to the people of Israel for the warm embrace, we are happy and excited about returning our four daughters home – we are all one big family!” the family said in a statement.

“We are waiting and looking forward to embracing Agam, God willing, next week. We will not rest until all the hostages are safely back home.”

Berger was abducted on Oct. 7 alongside fellow soldiers Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Naama Levy, 20; and Liri Albag, 19—- all of whom were reunited with their families Saturday and found to be in "stable condition."

She had been featured in previous propaganda media with the now-free women — including one image in which she appeared to be wearing a bandage on the crown of her head.

The IDF said earlier today that it was “committed” to the Berger’s return, along with the other 86 hostages abducted by Hamas.

Hostages in 'good and stable' condition after 477 days of captivity: doctors

By Katherine Donlevy

The four female hostages released by Hamas Saturday are in "stable" condition, medical examiners confirmed.

“A few hours ago we received Daniela, Karina, Naama and Liri,” Dr. Lena Koren Feldman, general manager at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva in southern Israel, said in a statement.

“After an initial medical examination I am glad to update that their status is good and stable. Our team will accompany the returnees in the coming days and further on, with the needed medical and mental treatment.”

The foursome were flown to Rabin Medical Center in a helicopter shortly after their release, following an emotional reunion with their families.

Israel does not know how many remaining Hamas hostages are alive: report

By Katherine Donlevy

It is still not known whether the remaining 90 hostages in Hamas captivity are all alive, according to a report.

Hamas has not supplied Israel with a list detailing the status of the remaining hostages, but is expected to hand over the information by the end of the day Saturday, CNN reported.

Israeli officers, however, believe that the majority of the 26 hostages who are set to be released in the coming weeks as part of the ceasefire agreement are alive, though have suspicions that some are already dead.

There are an estimated 90 hostages still in Hamas captivity, but only 33 total were expected to be released as part of a staggered swap for Palestinian prisoners.

White House celebrates hostage release, promises to 'push' for the rest to be freed

By Matthew Sedacca

The White House cheered the release of the latest Israeli hostages under the ongoing ceasefire deal, but stressed the need to ensure all remaining captives held by Hamas are set free.

"Today the world celebrates as President Trump secured the release of four more Israeli hostages who were, for far too long, held against their will by Hamas in horrific conditions," the statement read.

"The United States will continue with its great partner Israel to push for the release of all remaining hostages and the pursuit of peace throughout the region.”

Hamas propaganda video showing smiling hostages condemned by IDF: 'cruelty'

By Matthew Sedacca

A twisted propaganda video Hamas terrorists published in an attempt to spin the four hostages’ release Saturday in a celebratory light after they were held 477 days in captivity was slammed by IDF as cruel.

The 2-minute, 53-second clip, released by the terror group’s Al-Qassam Brigades military wing, shows the four soldiers — Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag — dressed in military-style garb and seated in a white SUV, where they are given framed certificates with their “prisoner release form,” as well as a keychain and “gift bags.”

The women thank Hamas in Arabic, according to The Times of Israel, before they are brought out onto a stage in Gaza City, surrounded by thousands of cheering onlookers and gun-toting terrorists being showered with confetti by an elderly woman. After waving and smiling to the crowd, the hostages are led away by members of the Red Cross.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari tore into Hamas for demonstrating its “cruelty” by organizing a “cynical ceremony,” according to TOI.

Hamas “presented a misrepresentation of treatment and care for the hostages, while in reality, it is cruelly holding innocent civilians for 477 days,” he said.

Released hostages in 'emotionally and medically complex' situation, official says

By Matthew Sedacca

An Israeli Health Ministry division head said the four hostages released Saturday are going through an “emotionally and medically complex” situation.

The four IDF soldiers — Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy — arrived at the Rabin Medical Center via helicopter, where they are expected to remain for several days.

Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, the Health Ministry’s general medicine division head, said the soldiers will receive various therapies targeting both their physical and emotional needs after being held captive by Hamas terrorists for 477 days.

“This is an emotionally and medically complex event for the hostages, for their families, for the families of all the hostages, and for the entire people of Israel,” she said, according to The Times of Israel.

Israel warns south Lebanon residents against returning home: 'Anyone who moves south of this line puts themselves in danger'

By Katherine Donlevy

The Israeli military on Saturday warned hundreds of Lebanese residents on the southern border that they were forbidden from returning to their homes.

The IDF shared a map on X showing dozens of villages that were off-limits to natives, the area stretching from Shebaa, less than 1.5 miles from the border in the east, to Mansouri, about 6 miles from the border in the west.

"Anyone who moves south of this line puts themselves in danger," the statement said.

The announcement comes one day after Israel announced that forces would remain in south Lebanon beyond its original Sunday departure deadline stipulated by the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

Israel is claiming that Lebanon was not enforcing its own terms, which included removing its weapons and fighters from the south, a claim Lebanon disputed while accusing Israel of procrastinating in its withdrawal.

Emotional video shows moment hostages reunited with families after 477 days

By Katherine Donlevy

The IDF shared touching video Saturday of the four Hamas hostages' emotional reunions with their families.

Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Naama Levy, 20; and Liri Albag, 19, each ran to meet their parents for the first time since they were taken into captivity 477 days ago.

The four families each embraced in tight, affectionate hugs as happy and relieved tears streamed down their faces.

"They’re in our hands now and we are not letting go," the IDF said on X.

"Welcome home, Daniella, Liri, Karina and Naama."

IDF offers sobering reminder that 90 hostages are still in Hamas captivity

By Katherine Donlevy

The IDF celebrated the release of four Hamas hostages Saturday — but offered a sobering reminder that 90 others remain in captivity.

"Our mission is not over until every hostage comes home," IDF Spokesperson RADM Daniel Hagari said.

The 90 remaining hostages include women, children and elderly men who are being held in "brutal conditions" in Gaza.

Hagari specifically named civilians Arbel Yehud, a 29-year-old civilian who was taken hostage from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Shiri Bibas, who was kidnapped alongside her toddler Ariel and infant Kfir, during the Oct. 7 attacks. Israel had requested all four to be released as part of the cease-fire agreement.

"Hamas failed to meet its obligations to first release Israeli female civilian hostages as part of the agreement," said Hagari.

"Troops will continue to be deployed and operate and to do everything — everything — to protect the citizens of Israel."

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