Video of Kidnapped Israeli Female Soldier Released by Family... Not Only Assaulted but Also Harassed with "You're Pretty" Comments

Hostage Family Meeting Urges Government for Hostage Return

Last October, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, a video showing the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers at the Nahal Oz military base was released. The Israeli Hostages' Families Group made the video public and urged the Israeli government to bring the hostages back.

Video Released of Israeli Female Soldier Being Kidnapped by Hamas Militants.
[Image Source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 23rd, Yonhap News reported that the Israeli Hostages' Families Group released an edited video documenting the abduction process and requested the Israeli government to return the hostages. The three-minute video they released shows Hamas militants kidnapping five female soldiers?Liri Alba, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa, and Naama Levi?who were at the base, and taking them to the Gaza Strip.

In the video, Hamas militants are seen tying the hands of terrified soldiers behind their backs, with their faces covered in blood, and interrogating them. One soldier was even harassed with comments like "You're pretty." The footage also shows Hamas militants loading the female soldiers onto a military truck amid a hail of gunfire.

The Hostages' Families Group criticized, "This horrific video reflects the reality faced by the soldiers and 123 other hostages, and is evidence of the government's failure to bring the hostages back over 229 days." They added, "It is becoming increasingly difficult to bring the hostages home day by day," emphasizing, "The Israeli government must not waste a moment and must immediately return to the negotiation table for the hostages' release."

Israel and Hamas held negotiations earlier this month in Cairo, Egypt, mediated by the United States and others, but ultimately failed to reach an agreement. With negotiations effectively stalled, the Israeli military has intensified its offensive against Rafah, the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip, considered Hamas's last stronghold. During this operation, the bodies of four hostages were discovered. Currently, it is estimated that 123 of the approximately 250 hostages kidnapped by Hamas last year remain in the Gaza Strip. However, their survival status remains uncertain.