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Kidnapping of Liri Albag

Coordinates: 31°28′21″N 34°29′50″E / 31.47250°N 34.49722°E / 31.47250; 34.49722
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Kidnapping of Liri Albag
Part of the Gaza war hostage crisis
Liri Albag after her release, 25 January 2025
Map
Interactive map of Kidnapping of Liri Albag
Location31°28′21″N 34°29′50″E / 31.47250°N 34.49722°E / 31.47250; 34.49722
Nahal Oz, Southern District, Israel
DateOctober 7, 2023 (2023-10-07) – January 25, 2025 (2025-01-25)
Attack type
Kidnapping
Perpetrator Hamas

Liri Albag (Hebrew: לירי אלבג) is an Israeli woman serving in Israel Defense Forces who was kidnapped in Nahal Oz during October 7 attacks by Hamas.[1] Albag's experience as a hostage held by Hamas for 477 days received significant national and international media attention,[2][3] not only because of the duration and harshness of her captivity[4][5][6] but also due to her actions during that time. Albag emerged as a leader among the hostages, communicating with captors on behalf of others. She was credited with saving the life of fellow hostage Amit Soussana by convincing captors that Soussana was not an IDF officer, likely preventing her execution.[7]

Albag's ordeal and subsequent release were the subject of major interviews and media reports,[8][9][10] in which she described the psychological and physical trauma she endured as well as her perspective on the ongoing conflict.[11][12] After her release, Albag became a public advocate for remaining hostages and has spoken at public events.[13][14] She has resumed her military service, a decision covered by major Israeli news outlets and seen as a symbol of resilience and commitment.[15][16][17] Albag's experiences and actions have made her a recognized figure in Israel and internationally, especially in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the campaign for the release of hostages.[18][19]

Biography

Albag was born in Matan,[20] the daughter of Shira and Eli Elbag; she had three siblings and lived in Moshav Yarhiv at the time of her kidnapping.[20] At age 18, she enlisted in the Israeli Defence Forces and trained to be a lookout, after which she was assigned to the Nahal Oz outpost. Two days into her service after completing her training, Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.[21][22]

Kidnapping

Main article: Gaza war hostage crisis

Albag was serving as an observer at the Nahal Oz base when the outpost was attacked and overrun by Hamas early in the morning of 7 October 2023. When the attack began, Albag was off duty and asleep in the sleeping quarters along with fellow observers Naama Levy and Noam Abramowitz; they were awakened at 6:30 by a rocket attack on the base and rushed to a bomb shelter, along with other off-duty female personnel.[23] Hamas members stormed the shelter and killed most of the occupants, capturing seven survivors, including Albag. In a video published several months later she was seen asking for someone who could speak English. Along with fellow observers Agam Berger, Karina Ariev, and Daniella Gilboa, Albag was loaded in a military jeep and taken to the Gaza Strip.[24][25]

Captivity in Gaza Strip

After arriving in Gaza, Albag and the other captured observers were initially held in an apartment, where after two days Albag and Berger were separated from Ariev and Gilboa. Albag spent the entirety of her captivity together with Berger, joined at times by other hostages, including Naama Levy, Keith and Aviva Siegel, the Almog-Goldstein family, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Amit Soussana, and Dafna and Ella Elyakim.[26]

Initially Albag and other female captives were held in private homes, including a luxury villa, where they cleaned yards, did dishes, babysat their captors' children, and prepared food they were not allowed to eat. After 40 days, they were moved to underground tunnels.[27] Albag later described being held for some time in an underground cage roughly 2×2 meters in area and 1.6 meters high, along with four other young women, where they were fed "a quarter of a pita, a date and half a bowl of rice a day"; there was a hole in the floor 800 meters away for them to use as a toilet.[28]

According to former civilian hostage Amit Soussana, Albag saved her life by persuading their captors that Soussana was not an IDF officer.[29] In one instance, Albag asked for Chanukah candles.[30] She later said, "the only thing I did not lose was Judaism."[24]

In March 2024, the IDF reported finding Albag's DNA in a house in Gaza.[31]

On 4 January 2025, the Al-Qassam Brigades published a video in which Albag said, "the Israeli army's military operations will not succeed in rescuing the captives."[32]

Advocacy for Albag's release

Albag's father, Eli, was one of the more visible participants in the Israeli hostage deal protests.[31] He reported being routinely attacked and harassed for calling for Albag's release and criticizing the Israeli government.[33][34][35] In October 2023, a counterprotester called Eli a "traitor" and wished for Albag's death.[36] After finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said in February 2024 that releasing the hostages was not the most important goal of the Gaza war, Eli criticized his remarks.[37] The Albag family received a funeral wreath in April 2024 with the statement: "May her memory be a blessing - Liri Albag. But everyone knows the country is more important." Shin Bet said it might have been sent by Iran.[31] In September 2024, Eli protested outside a Likud event. Counterprotesters threw eggs at him, called him a "cancer", and accused him of being funded by Hamas.[34][38] The incident was condemned by MK Miki Zohar.[33][34]

Release

Main article: January 2025 Gaza war ceasefire

On 24 January 2025, Hamas announced that Albag and three other female IDF soldiers would be released the next day as part of the hostage exchange during the January 2025 Gaza war ceasefire. For each female soldier released by Hamas, Israel agreed to release 50 Palestinian prisoners, of whom 30 were serving life sentences.[22][39] The next day, Hamas handed over Albag and fellow IDF observers Naama Levy, Karina Ariev, and Daniella Gilboa to the Red Cross in Palestine Square in Gaza.[40][41][42]

After her release

In June 2025, Albag declared her intention to return to the Israel Defense Forces.[43]

During Operation True Promise III she said that Iranian intelligence benefits from published photos of Israel and these should be avoided.[44]

In July 2025, Albag met with Gal Gadot along with freed hostages Doron Steinbrecher, Naama Levy, Moran Stella Yanai, and Ilana Gritzewsky.[45]

References

  1. ^ Boxerman, Aaron (2025-01-04). "Hamas Releases Video of Teenage Israeli Soldier Held Hostage in Gaza". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  2. ^ Michaelis, Tamar; Lister, Tim (2025-01-04). "Family of hostage in latest Hamas video urges Netanyahu to take 'opportunity to bring them back'". CNN. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  3. ^ "'Being reborn': Liri Albag opens up about her release from Hamas". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-03-08. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  4. ^ Koningsveld, Akiva Van (2025-01-27). "'2 million terrorists' in Gaza, released hostage tells family". JNS.org. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  5. ^ "Liri Albag's story of survival". Israel National News. 2025-04-08. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  6. ^ Post, Katherine Donlevy – NY (2025-01-05). "Hamas hostage Liri Albag seen 'pleading for her life' in new video". news. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  7. ^ Fink, Rachel (2025-01-29). "Amit Soussana, Freed From Hamas Captivity, Recalls in Interview How Fellow Hostage Saved Her Life". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  8. ^ Ohana, Lior (2025-04-05). "'Last Passover, we were their slaves,' say former Hamas hostages in heart-wrenching speech". ynetnews. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  9. ^ Rubinstein, Roi (2025-02-04). "Hospital concert honors IDF field observers returned from captivity, celebrates Liri's 20th birthday". ynetnews. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  10. ^ "The four female Israeli soldiers released by Hamas". Reuters. 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  11. ^ Fabian, Emanuel; Yohanan, Nurit (2025-03-08). "Liri Albag recalls Gaza 'hell,' pain of knowing those against hostage deal would 'sacrifice' her". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  12. ^ Koningsveld, Akiva Van (2025-01-31). "Released hostage Liri Albag: 'My nightmare is over' thanks to the IDF". JNS.org. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  13. ^ Cramer, Philissa (2025-04-10). "Freed hostage Liri Albag responds to backlash over Netanyahu criticism: 'I fear what we have become'". The Forward. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  14. ^ Lehmann, Noam (2025-04-06). "'See the tears in our eyes': Ex-captive Wenkert urges cabinet to invite him to meeting". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  15. ^ "Former Hamas hostage will return to IDF service, father says". JNS.org. 2025-07-01. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  16. ^ "Liri Albag, Former Hamas Hostage, Decides To Resume Her Military Service". i24NEWS. 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  17. ^ "Former Gaza hostage Liri Albag to return to IDF service". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  18. ^ "Hamas releases video of Israeli hostage Liri Albag as ceasefire talks resume". BBC Home. 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  19. ^ Grant, Ellie (2025-04-10). "Former hostage Liri Albag condemns online abuse following Netanyahu criticism". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  20. ^ a b "Freed Israeli Hostages: What They Endured in Captivity and How They Survived | AJC". www.ajc.org. 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  21. ^ "לירי אלבג: הכירו את החיילת שחזרה מהשבי". Ice (in Hebrew). 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  22. ^ a b Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Mackenzie, James (2025-01-24). "Hamas names four Israeli female soldier hostages to be freed in second swap". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  23. ^ זה מה שעבר עליי ב־477 יום בעזה
  24. ^ a b נויבך, קרן. ""עמדנו בצפירה והדלקנו נרות": מסע ההישרדות של לירי אלבג בשבי". כאן | תאגיד השידור הישראלי (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  25. ^ "ההחלטה המצמררת של החטופה ששוחררה לירי אלבג". סרוגים (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  26. ^ זה מה שעבר עליי ב־477 יום בעזה
  27. ^ Freiberg, Nava; Berman, Lazar; Lehmann, Noam (2024-06-14). "Citing rescued hostage, captive soldier's mom says women were held as slaves". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  28. ^ Ex-captive Liri Albag: PM’s ‘brave decision’ on Iran must be followed by return of hostages
  29. ^ Freiberg, Nava; Berman, Lazar; Lehmann, Noam (2025-01-29). "Ex-hostage says Liri Albag saved her life as Hamas captors tortured, threatened her". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  30. ^ "Liri Albag recalls entering 'survival mode' on Oct. 7: 'Feels like one long nightmare'". The Times of Israel. 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  31. ^ a b c "Shin Bet Believes Iran Behind Funeral Wreath Sent to Family of Israeli Woman Held Hostage in Gaza". Haaretz. 2024-04-07. Archived from the original on 2024-04-07.
  32. ^ "החטופה הישראלית: ההישרדות שלנו קשורה לנסיגה של צה"ל- חדשות פוליטי". Tasnim News Agency (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  33. ^ a b Staff, ToI (2024-09-26). "Hostage's dad protesting outside Likud event attacked with eggs, berated as 'cancer'". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
  34. ^ a b c "Eggs Thrown at Israeli Hostage's Father During Protest Outside Netanyahu Party Event". Haaretz. 2024-09-26.
  35. ^ "Hostage Liri Albag's father speaks out after release of Hamas video | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2025-01-10. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
  36. ^ "Hostages' Families Fight to Be Heard". Jewish Currents. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
  37. ^ Staff, ToI (2024-02-20). "Smotrich says bringing hostages home 'not the most important thing,' sparking outcry". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
  38. ^ Beaumont, Peter; Kierszenbaum, Quique; Cousins, Rich (2024-10-07). "'A year is just too long': relatives of Gaza hostages speak of their anguish". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
  39. ^ "Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal: What You Need to Know | AJC". www.ajc.org. 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  40. ^ "Hostages Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag freed by Hamas and handed over to the Red Cross". Archived from the original on 2025-02-10. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  41. ^ "Footage shows the 4 released hostages handed over by Red Cross to IDF troops". Archived from the original on 2025-02-08. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  42. ^ "Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboay y Naama Levy, las cuatro mujeres soldado israelíes liberadas por Hamas". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  43. ^ לוקש, אלכסנדרה (2025-05-28). "לירי אלבג רוצה לחזור לשרת בצה"ל: "לסגור חשבון עם מי שחטף אותה"". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  44. ^ ""בתור מישהי שמכירה את האויב": הבקשה של לירי אלבג | ישראל היום". www.israelhayom.co.il. 2025-06-14. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  45. ^ Linn, Erez (2025-07-22). "Gal Gadot meets hostage survivors: 'You are strength and inspiration'". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
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