'Mom, you’re a lioness! I love you, citizens of Israel!': Freed hostages received with embrace

4 IDF soldiers freed after 477 days in Hamas captivity airlifted to Rabin Medical Center to reunite with their families; health officials call medical evaluation 'complex event'; IDF chief hails their return as 'part of our victory'

Itamar Eichner, Gal Ganot|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Four freed Israeli soldiers, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev, arrived Saturday at Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, accompanied by their parents aboard an IAF helicopter.
Families gathered at the hospital cheered as the helicopter landed, while others wore shirts celebrating their relatives’ service. Earlier, emotional footage captured their reunion with parents at a reception center near the Gaza border, where they embraced and shed tears of relief and joy.
live
Liri Albag signs a heart with her hands upon landing at the hospital
Liri Albag held a sign during her helicopter ride that read, "I love you, citizens of Israel, IDF soldiers and my family. I’m back," and signed a heart with her hands upon landing. The hospital confirmed the soldiers are undergoing sensitive medical and psychological evaluations. “This is an emotionally and medically complex event for the returnees, their families and the nation,” said Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, head of the Health Ministry's Medical Division, emphasizing the importance of respecting their privacy during recovery.
Upon meeting her mother, Gilboa said, “Mom, you’re a lioness.” Her father hugged her and replied, “She went through the whole world, everything.” Her mother, Orly, responded, “You know I’ll do anything for you.”
live
Freed hostages airlifted to Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva
(Video: Oz Moalem)

Albag embraced her parents and smiled broadly, saying, “I love you. Liri Elbag number one.” Her mother, Shira, replied, “We know. You’re home, that’s it, that’s it. How I’ve waited for this, my hero.” Looking directly at the camera, Liri added, “I love you, citizens of Israel, who supported our families and surrounded them with care, and to all the IDF soldiers who did everything for us. Thank you so much. I love you.”
Ariev asked her mother not to cry. “You’ve returned, our sweet girl. You’ve returned—the laundry is waiting for you. You’re with us, you’re with us, you’re with us!” her mother said. Ayala, Levy's mother, told her, “My sweetheart, everything is okay now, I’m watching over you.” Her father added, “I’ll take care of you; everything will be fine.”
10 View gallery
דניאלה גלבוע במסוק
דניאלה גלבוע במסוק
Daniella Gilboa
(Photo: Yael Goisky Eves)
Later footage showed the freed captives arriving at the hospital and reuniting with extended family members. “Go, Liri!” her siblings shouted as they burst into tears, ran toward her, and hugged her. Ariev, Levy and Gilboa embraced their relatives, who exclaimed, “Look at you!”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with Shira and Eli Albag, Liri’s parents. “We’re overwhelmed,” they said. “Liri’s back, and we can’t believe or process that she’s home. There’s joy in the nation, and we have joy in our hearts and souls. We thank you and everyone involved.”
10 View gallery
המסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
המסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
The helicopter lands at Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva with the freed hostages
(Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Eli added, “With this success, we know there are still 90 hostages left. I’m confident you’ll do everything to bring them home.” Shira added, “Everyone deserves to experience what we did today. The joy in our hearts is indescribable. Liri and the others are heroes, champions, and a source of pride for Israel. After everything they’ve endured, they’re our champions, and everyone deserves to come home.”
Netanyahu responded, “This is a very joyous moment we’ve waited for a long time.” He added, “My wife and I, together with all of Israel, embrace Liri and her friends who’ve come back into the light. I’m glad that through our great efforts, along with the IDF and everyone involved, we achieved this. It’s truly a great day, and we’re working on bringing everyone else home.”
10 View gallery
לירי אלבג מהמסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
לירי אלבג מהמסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
Liri Albag signs a heart with her hands upon landing at the hospital
(Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP)
Maya Desyatnik, the sole surviving lookout in the Nahal Oz command room from which the four lookouts were abducted, shared photos of her friends reuniting with their parents on her Instagram story. “I’ve waited so long to finally see these pictures happen ❤️,” she wrote.
As in the previous phase, Hamas cynically released footage of the captives’ release, showing them receiving certificates and smiling at the camera. “Hello, thank you to the al-Qassam Brigades for their good care, the clothes, the food, the drinks and the people who protected us from the bombings. May today be a good day, the best day, and may we all be well,” the four said in Arabic.
10 View gallery
המון צופה במסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
המון צופה במסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
(Photo: Dana Kopel)
The footage concluded with all of them stating the date, January 25, 2025. Hamas also filmed the captives receiving what appeared to be keychains, "gift bags" and the crowds gathered at Palestine Square.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, Mossad Director David Barnea and POW Coordinator Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon monitored the return process from a command center. “Their return is part of our victory in this war,” said Halevi. “We remain committed to bringing back all captives, soldiers and civilians.”
10 View gallery
 נעמה לוי והוריה במפגש ראשון לאחר שחרורה
 נעמה לוי והוריה במפגש ראשון לאחר שחרורה
Naama Levy reunited with her parents
(Photo: IDF)
The Health Ministry noted extensive preparations for their care, including specialized support across six central hospitals and two facilities near Gaza. "The privacy of the returnees is essential to their transition back to life," the ministry added.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
Families of fallen soldiers and captives also shared their mixed emotions. "While the pain of losing our daughters is unbearable, we fought and prayed for the return of their friends," said parents of IDF lookouts killed at Nahal Oz during the October 7 Hamas attack. They described the returning soldiers as "heroes who survived hell," adding, "Today, we breathe a little easier and pray for the swift return of all captives."
10 View gallery
 קרינה ארייב במפגש ראשון עם הוריה
 קרינה ארייב במפגש ראשון עם הוריה
Karina Ariev reunited with her parents
(Photo: IDF)
10 View gallery
 דניאלה גלבוע במפגש ראשון עם הוריה
 דניאלה גלבוע במפגש ראשון עם הוריה
Daniella Gilboa reunited with her parents
(Photo: IDF)
10 View gallery
 לירי אלבג והוריה במפגש ראשון
 לירי אלבג והוריה במפגש ראשון
Liri Albag reunited with her parents
(Photo: IDF)
10 View gallery
המון צופה במסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
המון צופה במסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
Massive crowds throng to Rabin Medical Center to welcome freed hostages
(Photo: Dana Kopel)
10 View gallery
המון צופה במסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
המון צופה במסוק בו נמצאות החטופות נוחת בבילינסון
(Photo: Dana Kopel)
The freed soldiers were transferred to Israeli forces in Gaza earlier in the day after walking from a Red Cross vehicle during a staged Hamas handover in Gaza City.
Footage showed them smiling and waving as they were led in uniforms from Hamas into IDF custody. Military officials confirmed they were in good health with no urgent medical needs detected during preliminary checks in Gaza.
<< Follow Ynetnews on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Telegram >>
Comments
The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
""