Parents of Israeli Teen Held Hostage by Hamas Release Emotional Plea for Her Return

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The family of Liri Albag, a 19-year-old Israeli soldier kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, expressed deep concern for her wellbeing after a distressing video was released by the militant group. In the three-and-a-half-minute footage, Liri appears visibly troubled as she recounts her captivity, indicating she has been held for over 450 days.

Shira Albag, Liri's mother, described the video as "hard to watch," stating, "This is not the Liri we know. This is the shadow of Liri." The family emphasized that Liri is no longer the strong and vibrant person they remember, highlighting her deteriorating mental condition.

Liri was among 251 individuals taken during the Hamas assault, with only a few soldiers rescued since then. The Albag family has called upon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritize the release of Liri and the 99 other hostages who are still in captivity. "Every day in Hamas's hell in Gaza poses an immediate risk of death to the living hostages," the family stated.

The October 7 attack led to the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, prompting extensive retaliatory actions from Israel, which have resulted in high civilian casualties in Gaza. The Albag family is urging the government to act decisively to secure the hostages' release, pleading with officials to "make decisions regarding the hostages as if your children were there."

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