Liri Albag, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, and Karina Ariev are shown in this photo from the early days of their time in captivity in Gaza. (Photo credit: CNN)
The families of five female Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 have shared photographs from the initial days of their captivity. They are urging the Israeli government to negotiate for the release of these hostages still held in Gaza.
The soldiers were part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stationed at the Nahal Oz military base, which was attacked by Hamas militants during their offensive against Israel last year. The Hostages Families Forum announced that the families of Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev decided to make these photos public to draw attention to their plight.
These images show the women with visible injuries from their abduction. One photo highlights Naama Levy with a severely bruised right eye, while another depicts four of the soldiers sitting on bedding in a sparse room, two of whom have bandaged heads. The forum emphasized that this courageous step by the families aims to bring them closer to their daughters.
In May, the families had previously released graphic footage of the capture, further illustrating the trauma the soldiers experienced. The attack by Hamas resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 people taken hostage, prompting Israel to launch a military campaign in Gaza that has claimed the lives of more than 38,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Naama Levy, shown before and during her time in captivity in Gaza.(Photo credit: CNN)
The Hostages Families Forum released a statement expressing hope for a deal that could bring all 120 hostages home, stating, “This reunion is just a deal away.” They called on the Israeli government, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to acknowledge the suffering endured by the hostages over the past 284 days and to take action to bring them back.
Albert Ariev, father of Karina Ariev, spoke at a press conference about the emotional toll of the situation. He described the haunting image of his daughter sitting on a mattress with a look of exhaustion and despair. He pointed out the swelling in her hands, indicating that she had likely been bound for a long time. “All we are asking for is to have Karina back,” he pleaded, emphasizing the need for closure for both the living and the deceased.
During this critical time, Albert urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to prioritize securing a deal for the hostages. Netanyahu is under increasing pressure to ensure the release of more than 100 hostages still believed to be held by Hamas. On the same day as the photo release, he met with families of other soldiers who were killed during the attack, listening to their stories and expressing empathy for their pain.
The prime minister's office stated that the meeting lasted three hours, during which Netanyahu committed to thoroughly investigating the events surrounding the attack and ensuring lessons are learned across all levels of government and military.
As the families continue to advocate for their loved ones, the hope for a resolution remains strong. They are determined to keep the conversation alive, pushing for action and support from the government to bring all hostages home safely.
