Families of IDF Female Hostages Release New Distressing Photos from early Captivity

[Social Media]

 

The families of five female IDF surveillance soldiers, who were abducted from the Nahal Oz base by Hamas on October 7, have released haunting images of their loved ones from the early days of their captivity in Gaza. In one undated photograph, Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, and Daniella Gilboa are seen sitting on mattresses on the floor of a room. Both Ariev and Gilboa have visible head bandages.

 

 

The soldiers are dressed in clothes with bloodstains, seemingly provided by their captors, and show signs of injuries and marks from handcuffs. Bottles of water are scattered on the floor, and a framed picture of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is seen on the wall behind them. In a separate image, Naama Levy is shown with a heavily swollen eye and facial cuts.

 

 

These five soldiers have been held by Hamas in Gaza since their abduction. Hamas's attack on the Nahal Oz base resulted in the deaths of 52 soldiers, including 15 female surveillance officers, and the kidnapping of 10 soldiers in total. The newly released images were taken from a Hamas video, retrieved by the IDF during operations in Gaza and first shown to the families a few months ago. During a press conference unveiling the images, the parents of the five soldiers were visibly emotional.

 

 

Shira Albag, mother of Liri, held up a baby doll, symbolizing fears that the women might have been raped and impregnated in captivity. Her husband, Eli Albag, became unwell during the press conference and required medical attention. Yoni Levy, father of Naama, stated that his daughter was held separately from her comrades and likely in tunnels, making a negotiated release the only viable option.

 

 

The families juxtaposed these harrowing images with photos of the soldiers before their abduction, emphasizing the urgent need for their return. Albert Ariev, Karina's father, described the new images as "painful and vivid," showing Karina with a shocking bandage on her head and blood-stained pajama pants. He pleaded for an agreement to be made to secure their release, expressing hope in the current negotiations.

 

 

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum previously released footage showing the abduction of the five soldiers, describing it as a testament to the nation’s failure to bring home the hostages. This video was recorded by body cameras worn by Hamas terrorists during their attack on the base near the Gaza border.

 

 

Efforts to secure a deal for the hostages' release continue, with mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar working towards an agreement. The proposed deal could involve the release of Palestinian security prisoners and a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, which began with Hamas's devastating attack on October 7 that resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals to Gaza. Currently, it is believed that 116 hostages, including the remains of 42 confirmed dead by the IDF, remain in Gaza. 

 

 

The release of the five female soldiers and other hostages remains a top priority for their families and the Israeli government, highlighting the critical need for a resolution to this humanitarian crisis.

 

 

In a separate undated image, Naama Levy is seen with a heavily swollen eye and cuts on her face. All five are still held by Hamas in the Strip after they were kidnapped by terrorists from the Nahal Oz base on October 7. Hamas killed 52 soldiers at the base, including 15 female surveillance officers, and kidnapped 10 soldiers in total.

 

 

The photos are taken from a Hamas video retrieved by the IDF during operations in Gaza and first shown to the families by the IDF spokesman a few months ago. In the video, which has not been made public, one of the Hamas captors is seen, a Channel 12 report said. At a press conference unveiling the images, the parents of the five soldiers were overcome with emotion. Shira Albag, the mother of Liri, held up a baby doll, symbolizing the possibility that the women were raped and impregnated in captivity.

 

 

Her husband, Eli Albag, felt unwell and was taken away from the press conference for medical care. Yoni Levy, the father of Naama, told the press conference that his daughter was held separately from her comrades.

 

“She wasn’t captured with the other girls, as we saw in the video with the jeep,” he said. “Naama was held for a long period by herself.” Levy said the “latest information we have” is that Naama is “held in the tunnels and she is alive… therefore the only way to get her and the other girls out of the tunnels is a deal,” he added. “Not a military operation or anything else — only a deal will get the girls out.” Levy was seen in a video from Gaza on October 7 following her kidnapping with her hands tied and bloodied sweatpants being forced into the back of a jeep, giving rise to widespread speculation that she had been sexually assaulted by her abductors.

 

The families also juxtaposed the newly publicized pictures of the five with photographs of them as they were before being taken hostage by Hamas-led terrorists who invaded southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Albert Ariev, the father of Karina, said the newly released images were painful and “vivid — Karina sitting on a mattress on the floor, with an exhausted and desperate look.” “She has a shocking bandage on her head with dried blood.

 

On her leg, you can see fresh blood stains seeping into her pajama pants,” he said, begging for a deal to be made. “The agreement currently on the table is the closest we’ve ever been. Since the morning of October 7. All we ask is for Karina back; we want our small family to be whole again.”

 

In May, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released harrowing footage showing the abduction of the five female soldiers from the Nahal Oz base on October 7, describing the video as a “damning testament to the nation’s failure to bring home the hostages.” The video was taken by body cameras worn by Hamas terrorists that day as they attacked the base near the Gaza border.

 

Another observation soldier, Cpl. Ori Megidish, was kidnapped from the base on October 7 and rescued by IDF troops a few weeks later. Cpl. Noa Marciano, who was also kidnapped that day, was later killed in Gaza and her body recovered by the military in November.

 

US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators have been working to reach a deal between Israel and Hamas that would see the release of the hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners and a ceasefire in the ongoing war, which began on October 7 when Hamas led a devastating attack that killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted to Gaza.

 

It is believed that 116 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza — including the remains of  42 who have been confirmed dead by the IDF — after 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity during a weeklong truce in late November, and four hostages were released prior to that.

 

Seven hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 19 hostages have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the military. Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two IDF soldiers who were killed in 2014.

 

These images have underscored the desperation and agony felt by the families of the hostages. The visuals of the injured and visibly distressed soldiers, juxtaposed with their pre-abduction photos, serve as a stark reminder of the human toll of this ongoing conflict.

 

As negotiations continue, the hope remains that these hostages can be returned safely to their families, bringing some measure of relief to a situation fraught with anguish and uncertainty.

 

 

Credit: TOI | X | Youtube 2024-07-20

 

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[thaibeachlovers]

and the hostages will be released soon as israel stops blowing up Palestinians, removes the IDF from Gaza, agrees to a permanent ceasefire and allows aid trucks to enter via land borders.

 

The ball is in israel's court now.

[Evil Penevil]

31 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

and the hostages will be released soon as israel stops blowing up Palestinians, removes the IDF from Gaza, agrees to a permanent ceasefire and allows aid trucks to enter via land borders.

 

The ball is in israel's court now.

 

WTF?  The hostages were taken BEFORE Israeli forces began their retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas' terror attacks.  One of the goals of that retaliation is to secure the return of the hostages.  Wouldn't it make more sense for Hamas and the other terror groups to release all hostages so Israel has less reason to conduct military operations that result in the deaths of Palestinians?

 

Of course, the ball has really been in the Arabs' court since 1948.  The prerequisite to any lasting peace is Palestinian acceptance of Israel as the homeland of the world's Jews.  As long as the goal of Hamas and other groups is to drive the Jews into the sea,  Israelis won't stop defending themselves.  Never again is today!

[thaibeachlovers]

6 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

 

WTF?  The hostages were taken BEFORE Israeli forces began their retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas' terror attacks.  One of the goals of that retaliation is to secure the return of the hostages.  Wouldn't it make more sense for Hamas and the other terror groups to release all hostages so Israel has less reason to conduct military operations that result in the deaths of Palestinians?

 

Of course, the ball has really been in the Arabs' court since 1948.  The prerequisite to any lasting peace is Palestinian acceptance of Israel as the homeland of the world's Jews.  As long as the goal of Hamas and other groups is to drive the Jews into the sea,  Israelis won't stop defending themselves.  Never again is today!

another that apparently doesn't understand why Hamas will not release the hostages before they get amnesty and a permanent ceasefire.

 

Byebye

[rhodie]

12 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

another that apparently doesn't understand why Hamas will not release the hostages before they get amnesty and a permanent ceasefire.

 

Byebye

You are a very sad individual. I hope by Byebye, you have left AN for good. 

 

[Evil Penevil]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

another that apparently doesn't understand why Hamas will not release the hostages before they get amnesty and a permanent ceasefire.

 

 

I very well understand the reason for Hamas not releasing the hostages.  It is a terrorist group driven by an all-consuming hatred of Jews that outweighs the preserviation of the lives of the Palestinians it is supposed to represent.  In the eyes of Hamas' members, peaceful coexistence with Israel would amount to failure and its leaders will go to any lengths to prevent a lasting peace.  Hamas hopes to use a ceasefire to rebuild its strength so it can continue its attacks on Israel.

[Neeranam]

21 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

 

I very well understand the reason for Hamas not releasing the hostages.  It is a terrorist group driven by an all-consuming hatred of Jews that outweighs the preserviation of the lives of the Palestinians it is supposed to represent.  In the eyes of Hamas' members, peaceful coexistence with Israel would amount to failure and its leaders will go to any lengths to prevent a lasting peace.  Hamas hopes to use a ceasefire to rebuild its strength so it can continue its attacks on Israel.

While Hamas' tactics and rhetoric can be deeply problematic and often counterproductive to peace, attributing its existence solely to irrational hatred obscures the legitimate grievances and complex socio-political dynamics at play. Addressing the underlying causes of conflict, such as occupation, blockades, and lack of political progress, is essential for any meaningful and lasting resolution.

[transam]

On 7/21/2024 at 11:21 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

another that apparently doesn't understand why Hamas will not release the hostages before they get amnesty and a permanent ceasefire.

 

Byebye

Nor do you, a Hamas supporter.......🤔

[transam]

On 7/21/2024 at 11:35 AM, rhodie said:

You are a very sad individual. I hope by Byebye, you have left AN for good. 

 

You got that right.........

[rhodie]

4 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That's not what it meant.

 

😪

Well, that's a pity. 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 7/21/2024 at 9:49 PM, Evil Penevil said:

 

I very well understand the reason for Hamas not releasing the hostages.  It is a terrorist group driven by an all-consuming hatred of Jews that outweighs the preserviation of the lives of the Palestinians it is supposed to represent.  In the eyes of Hamas' members, peaceful coexistence with Israel would amount to failure and its leaders will go to any lengths to prevent a lasting peace.  Hamas hopes to use a ceasefire to rebuild its strength so it can continue its attacks on Israel.

I think you missed the statement by netanyahu saying they will hunt down any Hamas even after a ceasefire. Would you release ( presumably ) the only reason israel hasn't gone Armageddon on Gaza, without an amnesty?

[Evil Penevil]

On 7/22/2024 at 2:58 AM, Neeranam said:

While Hamas' tactics and rhetoric can be deeply problematic and often counterproductive to peace, attributing its existence solely to irrational hatred obscures the legitimate grievances and complex socio-political dynamics at play. Addressing the underlying causes of conflict, such as occupation, blockades, and lack of political progress, is essential for any meaningful and lasting resolution.

 

I certainly agree that "Hamas' tactics and rhetoric can be deeply problematic and often counterproductive to peace."   However,  Hamas'  basic policy of denying Israel's right to exist as a sovereign state is the real problem and its tactics and rhetoric merely reflect this stance.   To achieve permanent peace in the region,  all Palestinian factions must first recognize Israel's right to exist as the homeland of the world's Jews.

 

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Is that why they drop bombs on so many women and children?

 

Civilian casualties are an unfortunate consequence of Hamas using civilians as human shields in densely populated urban areas. 

"The sole reason for civilian deaths in Gaza is Hamas," wrote John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute (MWI) at West Point and codirector of MWI's Urban Warfare Project.  "For Israel's part, it's taken more care to prevent them than any other army in human history."  Spencer explains this point in this article:   Link

xx

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I think you missed the statement by netanyahu saying they will hunt down any Hamas even after a ceasefire. 

 

I didn't miss it, but you seem to have misinterpreted what Netanyahu said.  He has repeatedly stated Israel won't agree to a ceasefire deal which prevents it from achieving its goals for the war against Hamas and that includes the release of all hostages.  If Hamas were to release the hostages in another prisoner swap, that could led Israel to scale back its military attacks on Gaza.  But as long as the avowed purpose of Hamas is the destruction of Israel, actions against the leadership of Hamas can't and won't stop.

 

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 Would you release ( presumably ) the only reason israel hasn't gone Armageddon on Gaza, without an amnesty?

 

 

If I had been a member of Hamas, I wouldn't have attacked Israel on Oct. 7, so it's a moot question.  And if we're going to play thought games: If I had been Palestinian, I would have accepted the U.N. proposal for a two-state partition in 1948.  That would have avoided 75 years of suffering for the Palestinian people.

Edited July 23 by Evil Penevil

[thaibeachlovers]

On 7/23/2024 at 11:30 PM, Evil Penevil said:

If I had been Palestinian, I would have accepted the U.N. proposal for a two-state partition in 1948.  That would have avoided 75 years of suffering for the Palestinian people.

Perhaps you should read up on history then. The Palestinians were under Jordanian rule and as such had no say in the situation. They didn't go to war against israel either as they had no armed forces.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 7/23/2024 at 11:30 PM, Evil Penevil said:

But as long as the avowed purpose of Hamas is the destruction of Israel, actions against the leadership of Hamas can't and won't stop.

Ergo there will be no return of the hostages. Catch 22.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 7/23/2024 at 11:30 PM, Evil Penevil said:

I didn't miss it, but you seem to have misinterpreted what Netanyahu said.  He has repeatedly stated Israel won't agree to a ceasefire deal which prevents it from achieving its goals for the war against Hamas and that includes the release of all hostages.

I'm surprised that you say that as if thinking that Hamas can be "defeated". Hamas likely has about the entire male population of Gaza as willing recruits to kill israelis, so how is Hamas to be defeated?

[Social Media]

Troll posts and off topic unattibuted claims removed from the usual suspect

[Nick Carter icp]

22 minutes ago, mooping20Baht said:

 

this is all pretty simple, read the ICC and ICJ ruling, Israel is a country of war criminals of the extreme right.

 

there is no legal right to defend themselves as an occupying force, in fact it is the opposite.

 

worse, this is a real genocide, this is not just a word to banter about. let that sink in, and continue to defend Israel at your peril

 

   You live in a fantasy World .

The ICJ / ICC didn't rule that Israel are war criminals or that there's a genocide .

   That is just nonsense spread by Hamas and Al Jazeera, its not the reality