Liri Albag was taken by Hamas in the barbaric incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023 – Hamas has released a heartbreaking video of her as her family calls for her safe return
A shocking video released by Hamas shows a crying 19-year-old hostage who has been held for 450 days.
Liri Albag was taken by the militant group in the barbaric incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023. The clip, over three minutes long, shows Albag in green overalls shaking and crying as she speaks to the camera. Albag, an IDF surveillance soldier, she says she has been there for 450 days, indicating the footage was taken recently.
She said to her family: “I love you so much. I miss you infinitely.” Albag also said she “looked death in the eye” and some hostages held with her were “badly wounded”.
Albag’s family said in a statement the footage tore their “hearts to piece”. They said: “This is not the daughter and sister we know. She is not well – her severe psychological distress is evident. “We watched our heroic Liri surviving and pleading for her life. She is just dozens of kilometers away from us, yet for 456 days we have been unable to bring her home.”
The distressed family appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring Albag and the other hostages back home. “Liri is alive and must return alive! This depends only on you,” they said.
They added: “Liri, we are fighting for you, we aren’t giving up on you, and you’re coming home alive. You’re coming back. Yes, it’s hard there and yes, you’re suffering, but you’re coming home alive.
“Mom promises you, Mom and Dad promise you, and we keep our promises – it will happen soon, God willing, it will happen soon. Believe in this, we aren’t giving up, don’t you give up either there, keep fighting and surviving. You’re strong and you’re capable. We’re here fighting for you. I love you so much and miss you terribly and am waiting to hug you.”
The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu had spoken to Albag’s mum and dad, who have watched their daughter feature in previous Hamas videos after she was taken with border guards Agam Berger, Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa and Naama Levy – all teenagers.
Last year, a video emerged of Albad and the other women with her facing rape threats. You “can get pregnant” one voice can be heard saying. The IDF said the video had been edited by them before before it was released because, they claim, it showed dead bodies lying on the floor.
It comes as the Hamas and Israel discusses a peace deal to end the war in Gaza and free the hostages. Around 100 people are still held by Hamas
