Israel-Hamas War: Families Release Photos of Five Israeli Female Soldiers Taken During Their First Days of Captivity in Gaza

CNN
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The families of five female Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 have released photos from their first days in captivity, urging the Israeli government to reach an agreement that would secure the release of those still held in Gaza.

The women were observers for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stationed at an Israeli military base in Nahal Oz, which was stormed by Hamas militant groups during their attack on Israel last year.

The headquarters of the Hostages’ Families Forum said that the families of the observers – Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev – have decided to allow the publication of photos taken during their first days of detention by the militant group.

“The images show them bruised and injured following the horrific kidnapping that the whole world witnessed,” the forum said.

In the photos, Levy appears to have a badly bruised right eye. Another image shows four of the women sitting on sheets in an empty room; two of them, Gilboa and Ariev, have their heads bandaged.

“The parents’ courageous decision to reveal these photos is intended to bring them closer to their daughters,” they said.

An explicit video showing the group’s capture had already been published in May by their families.

The Hamas attack on Israel left about 1,200 dead and more than 250 prisoners and hostages in the enclave. After the attack, Israel launched a war in Gaza that left more than 38,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

“This meeting is just one deal away, one that would bring all 120 hostages home – the living for rehabilitation and the murdered and fallen for a decent burial,” the forum said in its statement Tuesday.

“We demand that the Israeli government, and especially its leader, look these girls in the eye, try to imagine what they and all the hostages endured for 284 days, and do everything possible to bring them home.”

Albert Ariev, Karina Ariev’s father, said at a press conference accompanying the release: “My little Karina, only 19 years old, is in Gaza. Today you can see images of Karina and her friends during their first days of captivity. It is so vivid: Karina sitting on a mattress on the floor, with an exhausted and desperate look.”

“The swellings on her hands indicate that Karina was tied up for a long time. You see a picture, but in the video you can see facial injuries probably caused by shrapnel when the terrorists invaded the shelter,” he said.

“All we ask is for Karina to come back. There are also dead people who need to be buried. People are asking for them all to come back.”

Ariev urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Please do not go abroad until this agreement is concluded.”

Mr Netanyahu is under intense pressure to secure the release of more than 100 hostages believed to be still being held by Hamas. Earlier on Tuesday, he met with the families of other observers killed at the base near the northern Gaza Strip, which Hamas overran last October, killing 16 of its soldiers.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting lasted three hours. He “listened attentively to the stories of life and heroism of each of the young women, felt the pain of the families and heard their requests and demands for an investigation into the events and for the commemoration of their daughters.”

“The Prime Minister responded to their questions and said that the situation would be thoroughly examined and lessons would be learned at all levels, including in the areas of intelligence, operations, the military and diplomacy.”