The family of Liri Albagh, a 19-year-old Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas since October 7, 2023, said she is seen “broken and shattered” in a recent video released by the terrorist group on Saturday. In the three-and-a-half-minute footage, Ms Albaugh, visibly distressed, tells of being detained for more than 450 days.
“Today we got signs of life from Liri; the video is difficult to watch,” her mother, Shira Albaugh, said in a statement. “This is not the Liri we know. This is a shadow of Liri.”
See also: ملیری; This is a good idea. This is a huge achievement. It’s a good idea, it’s a good idea, it’s a good idea Awesome. very nice. There are 99 more 99 children who return to their homes.> pic.twitter.com/hjBHYKxXMP
– Raz Shechnik (@RazShechnik) 4 January 2025
“This is not the same daughter and sister we know. She is in bad shape, and her difficult mental condition is obvious,” the family said in a lengthy statement quoted by The Times of Israel. “Lyre, always strong, looks broken and shattered.”
Liri Alabagh, a patrol soldier stationed at the Nahal Oz military base near the Gaza border, was one of 251 people abducted during Hamas’ attack on southern Israel. Of the seven soldiers kept under observation, one was rescued and the other was found dead in captivity. Liri Albagh and four others – Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Naama Levy and Daniela Gilboa – remain in Gaza.
Ms Albagh’s mother said, “This is the time. There are Liri and 99 other hostages who need to return home soon.” “Every day in Hamas’s hellhole in Gaza poses an immediate threat of death to surviving hostages and jeopardizes the ability to repatriate the fallen for proper burial.”
The Albagh family appealed directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged the government to prioritize the release of the hostages. “We saw our brave Liri alive and begging for her life. She is dozens of kilometers away from us and for 456 days we have been unable to bring her home,” he said. “Make decisions regarding the hostages as if your children were there. Liri is alive and must be returned alive! It depends only on you.”
An October 7 attack by Hamas, backed by allied groups, killed about 1,200 Israelis. Since then, Israel has repeatedly targeted schools, hospitals, neighborhoods and camps for internally displaced people. The government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, with the unwavering support of the United States, is still continuing its offensive in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 45,000 Palestinians and displaced almost the entire population of the densely populated area.
