The women were taken in Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attack that ignited the Israel-Gaza war and have had no contact with the outside world since

Four Israeli female soldiers are set to be freed on Saturday.

The women were taken in Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack that ignited the war and have had no contact with the outside world since then. The female abductees had all served in a unit of lookouts charged with monitoring threats along the border with Gaza.

Karina Ariev, 20. On 7 October 2023, Ariev texted her family goodbye as she was being dragged into Gaza: “If I don’t live, take care of Mom and Dad all their lives. Don’t give up. Live.” Her family said she loves to cook, sing, dance and write poetry. A year ago, Hamas released a video clip showing her and Daniella Gilboa, another soldier in her unit, pleading for their release.

Daniella Gilboa, 20. Gilboa’s name was originally Danielle, but after her abduction her parents changed it to Daniella, citing the Jewish belief that changing a name can change someone’s fortune. In videos of her kidnapping, Gilboa appears to be suffering from a foot injury as militants hustle her into a jeep bound for Gaza. Gilboa has said she dreams of becoming a professional singer.

Naama Levy, 20. Other footage from 7 October shared all over the world shows Levy, a soldier and triathlete, wearing blood-stained grey sweatpants as she is abducted from her base. When she was younger, she participated in the US-based “Hands of Peace” delegation, which brings together Americans, Israelis and Palestinians to work on coexistence.

Liri Albag, 19. Earlier this month, as ceasefire negotiations dragged on, Hamas’s military wing released a video that showed Albag, the youngest of the soldiers slated for release, in what her family said was “severe psychological distress”.