Live Update
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, January 25, 2025
IDF chief: Return of hostage soldiers ‘an integral part of our victory in war’
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi (center) is seen at a command center for the release of hostages held by Hamas, on January 25, 2025, alongside Mossad chief David Barnea (left), Shin Bet head Ronen Bar (2nd from left), hostage pointman Maj. Gen (res.) Nitzan Alon (2nd from right), and Maj. Gen. (res.) Yoav Mordechai (right). Also in the room are IDF Intelligence Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military secretary Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman. (Israel Defense Forces)
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the return of hostage soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag is “an integral part of our victory in war.”
“We are committed to returning all the hostages, civilians and soldiers,” Halevi says at a command center during the release of the four hostages.