Hamas Releases Video of Israeli Hostage Liri Albag as Negotiations Continue
A propaganda video released by Hamas on Saturday provided a harrowing sign of life from 19-year-old Israeli soldier Liri Albag, who was abducted on October 7, 2023, during the group’s attack on the Israel Defense Forces base at Nahal Oz. Albag’s family described the three-and-a-half-minute undated video as devastating, showing their daughter visibly distressed and pleading for her life after 456 days in captivity.
Albag, a surveillance soldier, was one of five female soldiers taken hostage during the October 7 assault on the base, in which 15 other members of her unit were killed. Four of her fellow abductees—Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Agam Berger—also remain in Gaza, as do around 95 other Israeli hostages. At least 60 hostages are believed to be alive.
In a tearful statement, Albag said in the video, “I’m only 19 years old. I have my entire life in front of me, but now my entire life has been put on pause. … The world is starting to forget about us. No one cares about us. We’re living in a nightmare.”
Her parents, Shira and Eli Albag, made an emotional appeal to Israeli leaders, urging them to prioritize a deal to bring their daughter and other captives home. “The video released today ripped our hearts to shreds,” they said in a statement. “This is not the Liri we know, this is the shadow of Liri. … The always-strong Liri looks broken and shattered.” The parents also released a video statement demanding from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “the negotiating team not return [from Qatar] until there is a deal.”
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Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog contacted the family to offer support. Netanyahu assured them that efforts to secure the hostages’ release were ongoing, adding, “Whoever dares to harm our hostages will pay the price.” Meanwhile, Herzog emphasized the importance of maintaining negotiations.
Yagil Yaakov, a former hostage who was released at age 13 during a November 2023 ceasefire after 52 days in captivity, posted on social media about his own experience being forced to make a Hamas propaganda video, “Liri’s video brought back a flashback for me from a little over a year ago when a Kalashnikov rifle was pointed toward me while I was terrified and begged to return home.” He added, “Liri needs to come home. … Just a little longer, Liri, and you’ll be home with all the hostages.”
Hamas’ release of the video comes as talks continue in Doha, where Qatari mediators are facilitating discussions between Israel and Hamas. Negotiations have been fraught, with reports of slow progress and disagreements on key issues. Despite setbacks, Israeli officials have indicated that the coming days will determine whether an agreement can be reached.
The October 7 attack marked the deadliest day in Israel’s history, with more than 1,400 killed, including civilians and military personnel. Hamas has since released 109 hostages in prior exchanges, while Israeli forces have rescued eight hostages alive and recovered the bodies of others. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing relatives of those still held, has described the ongoing captivity as “an immediate risk of death.”
Albag’s abduction occurred during her first weekend at the Nahal Oz base following basic training. Her mother, Shira, recounted the last communication with her daughter, who reassured her that everything was fine, even as rocket fire rained down. The family later received video evidence showing Liri and her comrades being taken into Gaza by their captors.
In a public plea, Albag’s parents asked their daughter to hold on. “Liri, if you’re hearing this, we are fighting for you. Don’t give up,” they said. The family and other hostage relatives continue to press for a ceasefire and agreement to bring all captives home safely, as time runs out before US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, a moment some see as a pivotal opportunity to exert additional international pressure.
