Abducted surveillance soldier Karina Ariev released from Gaza in mediated ceasefire

On January 25, 2025, Karina Ariev, 20, was released from Hamas captivity in Gaza as part of phase one of a mediated ceasefire-hostage release deal. She was handed over to the Red Cross, who delivered her to IDF soldiers who escorted her and three other female soldiers into Israel. Below is what we initially knew of their capture: 

Karina Ariev, then 19, was taken captive early in the morning of October 7 by Hamas terrorists from the IDF surveillance unit at the Nahal Oz army base.

Her parents described speaking to her at 7 a.m. that morning, as she cried, describing a barrage of rockets and terrorists firing guns.

“She screamed and said she loves us very much,” said Karina’s mother in an interview. “She told us to continue our lives.”

By 7:40, Karina’s parents lost all communication with her.

“We didn’t know who to call,” they said.

Later they found a Hamas video publicized on Telegram, in which three young women are laying down in a jeep, surrounded by men speaking in Arabic. Their daughter, Karina, was one of the three, her face wounded and bleeding.

Some 48 hours later, a representative from the army told them that Karina is a hostage, being held by a terror group.

“We haven’t had any other information,” said Karina’s mother.