Ahead of the planned trip to the US of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the families of the female IDF lookout observers, who are still being held in Gaza captivity by Hamas, released new photos of their daughters on Tuesday night from the early days of the war.
The five lookouts who were kidnapped by Hamas from the IDF’s Nahal Oz base on October 7 and are still detained in Gaza are Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy.
According to Israeli media, the photos are stills taken from a video that was shown to the families by the IDF. In the video, a terrorist asked the hostages to name themselves and the place from which they were kidnapped. The reports also said the terrorist ordered the lookout observers to lift their thumbs in a thumbs-up sign.
Families call for deal first, US trip later
In parallel to the release of the images, the families held a press conference, calling on Netanyahu not to fly to the US before a deal is reached.
Karina’s father, Albert Ariev, said: “My little Karina, only 19 years old, is in Gaza. Today, you see footage of Karina and her friends in their first days of captivity. It’s so 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. There are strong marks of handcuffs and binding on her wrists. Swelling in her hands indicates that Karina was bound for a long time. You see one frame, but in the video, you can see facial wounds likely caused by shrapnel when the terrorists invaded the shelter,” he said.
Regarding a hostage deal, Ariev said, “The agreement currently on the table is the closest we’ve ever been. Since the morning of October 7, Karina’s words are etched in my memory: “Dad, I’m scared.” And I am helpless; I can do nothing. My little daughter, wounded and bleeding, has been in Gaza for over nine months! All we ask is for Karina back; we want our small family to be whole again.”
In May, the families released a video depicting the female IDF lookout observers being kidnapped from their IDF’s Nahal Oz base into the Gaza Strip on October 7.
Ariev addressed Netanyahu directly, stating, “I’m asking you, Netanyahu, don’t fly abroad before a deal is underway.”
Naama’s mother, Ayelet Levy Shachar, also referred to Netanyahu’s upcoming trip to the US. “The prime minister asked me to join him on his flight to the US for his speech to Congress, and I explained that I cannot and will not feel comfortable joining him until I see that the negotiations regarding my Naama’s release are completed.
“Until then, I’m staying here in Israel and continuing to fight to save my Naama. As the deal progresses and Naama and all other hostages are saved, I could come and join even with her in his delegation,” she noted.
“Meanwhile, I’m staying here and asking you, to look into her eyes, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister. Meet with us immediately so we can make her voice heard.”
Liri’s mother, Shira Albag, stated, “Our girls and all other hostages face daily life-threatening danger. As reported yesterday, we were informed of the importance of exhausting all efforts in the coming days – before the prime minister’s trip to Washington. [Defense Minister Yoav] Gallant told us, “When a deal wasn’t feasible, I told you. Now it is! So here I say: this is the closest we’ve ever been!” Now is the time to sign! It’s time to bring back my Liri; it’s time to bring everyone back.”
Agam’s father, Shlomi Berger, called on Netanyahu: “This is a personal appeal to you – first, close the deal! Then you can travel safely and return safely. This is not the time for trips when your presence here, at the most critical time for our country, is essential.
“To the world in general and Qatar in particular, I say – the picture of [Hamas political leader Ismail] Haniyeh that was deliberately and intentionally placed behind our daughters shows that there is no separation between the military wing and the political bureau of the Hamas terrorist organization. Those who give them shelter will have to provide explanations when the time comes. They are all jointly responsible for the terrible massacre and for holding all the hostages for more than nine months – 284 days.”
Daniella’s mother, Orly Gilboa, also addressed the prime minister. “Today you met with representatives of the parents of sixteen lookout observers who were murdered on October 7. They were all friends of Daniella, close friends in heart and soul.
“We are all one family,” she said, “and as such, I know that the families approached you and shared their genuine and heavy concern that our daughters might join the list of the murdered. The families told us they expressed to you that their healing depends on the safe return of our daughters. Our struggle is shared – it’s the struggle of the hostages’ families, the bereaved families, and all of Israel.
“I reiterate that if you choose to travel for a speech – let it be a speech declaring an immediate hostage deal,” she said.
During the event, Liri Albag’s father Eli collapsed and was evacuated for further medical care.
אלי אלבג, אביה של לירי, קרס באמצע הנאומים ויצא לקבל טיפול רפואי@AnnaPines_ pic.twitter.com/TaCLk6xXOt
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) July 16, 2024
Seven lookout observers were kidnapped alive from the base. Ori Megidish was rescued by the IDF in October, and Noa Marciano was killed by Hamas in captivity. Her body was recovered by the IDF in November and returned for burial in Israel.
The press conference was eclipsed by protests and was followed by spontaneous calls from groups to gather at various points throughout the country to call for a deal.
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