Families of Five Israeli Female Soldiers Release Disturbing Footage of Their Captivity by Hamas
The families of five Israeli female soldiers taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks have released graphic footage showing their loved ones' first minutes in captivity, in an attempt to remind the public of Hamas's brutality and push Israeli leaders to restart negotiations for their release.
The video, which was obtained from the IDF and released by the Hostages Families Forum, shows the women surrounded by gunmen barking orders before being shoved into vehicles to be taken off to imprisonment in Gaza.
The soldiers were working as observers at Israel's border security when they were kidnapped. The footage was previously edited by the IDF but has now been released in its entirety, revealing the women with their hands bound and some of them having bruised and bloodied faces.
The families hope that this disturbing footage will bring attention to their plight and put pressure on Israeli leaders to secure their release. The soldiers are all IDF personnel, including Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy.
The October 7 attacks saw seven female Israeli soldiers taken hostage by Hamas. Thousands of Israelis have protested outside the IDF's Kirya military headquarters and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, calling for their immediate release.
Meanwhile, the government has postponed a vote to approve a rehabilitation plan for northern communities battered by Hezbollah attacks due to criticism from ministers. Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter has complained about unnecessary or repeated allocations in the program and his exclusion from managing emergency efforts.
The funds were not allocated for rehabilitating draining infrastructure destroyed by military activities, while millions were allocated for clearing chicken coops and encouraging volunteerism. The government's focus on securing the release of hostages has been criticized by some, who argue that more resources should be dedicated to rebuilding communities affected by military conflict.
The IDF has rescued three of the Israeli hostages taken on October 7, but five remain in captivity. Israel has killed over 35,000 people in Gaza as part of its ongoing military campaign to eradicate Hamas from the region.
