Hamas published a video on Saturday featuring Liri Albag, 19, one of the five female Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers who were kidnapped from her base at Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023 and being held hostage by the terror group.
The three-and-a-half-minute video was undated, but Albag says in it that she had been held for over 450 days, suggesting it was recorded recently.
Her family requested that the video not be published but allowed the release of still images from it.
Albag’s fellow soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy and Agam Berger are also still being held in Gaza.
Corporal Ori Megidish, who was also kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base on October 7 was rescued in an IDF mission on October 30, 2023. Another, Corporal Noa Marciano, was killed in captivity by a doctor in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Her body was recovered by the IDF near the hospital in November 2023.
There are 100 total hostages still in Gaza, 96 of whom were captured on October 7.
Israel believes more than 60 are alive.
In May, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released video footage of their abduction, filmed by the terrorists. Last July, their families released footage showing them in Gaza two days after their abduction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Albag’s parents, Shira and Eli, on Saturday evening after the video was published.
“The prime minister told the family that he identifies with the torment that Liri, her family and all of the hostages and their families have been enduring,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu promised that Israel would continue to work relentlessly to bring Liri and all the hostages back home and that the efforts are continuing, including at the present,” the statement continued. “The prime minister reiterated that whoever dares to harm our hostages—will pay the price.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also spoke on Saturday evening with Shira and Eli.
“The president sought to offer them strength and support after receiving the deeply upsetting video, which was also a sign of life after such an extended period,” according to the president’s spokesperson.
“In the emotional and painful conversation, the president reiterated that the Israeli representatives currently conducting negotiations must persist and remain at the negotiating table until all 100 hostages are returned home.”
Albag’s family said, as quoted by Channel 12 News: “The video released today ripped our hearts to shreds. She is not the same daughter and sister we know. Her mental state is visibly deteriorated. We saw our heroic Liri surviving and begging for her life. She is only a few dozen kilometres away from us, and for 456 days, we have been unable to bring her home.”
Later on Saturday night, Albag’s parents released another video, stating, “We demanded from the prime minister and the defence minister that the negotiating team not return without an agreement — and we understand they are willing to bring everyone back. Liri, if you’re hearing this, we are fighting for you — don’t give up.”
