Liri Albag Reunited with Family After 477 Days of Captivity, But Her Struggle is Far from Over

After 477 days of uncertainty, prayers, and a relentless struggle, Liri Albag, the IDF soldier kidnapped during the October 7 attack at the Nahal Oz outpost, has finally been reunited with her family.

Her return, marked by emotional reunions, also signals the beginning of a long journey toward healing—a path that, for Liri, is paved with profound trauma and difficult adjustments.

Liri, now 19, was held captive by Hamas militants in Gaza, enduring unimaginable psychological and physical torment.

When her mother, Shira Albag, was reunited with her at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva on January 25, 2025, the emotional weight of the moment was overwhelming.

“I keep telling myself, I’m in a dream,” Shira shared. “Waking up with your daughter after so long, feeling her presence—it’s overwhelming.”

However, the mother also recognizes that the reunion is just the beginning of a long road ahead. Liri, who was only 17 when she was abducted, is no longer the same young woman who enlisted in the IDF. Despite the smiles and the relief of being home, there is a noticeable shift in her demeanor.

“She’s grown up a lot,” Shira says, her voice heavy with the realization of the emotional toll Liri has endured. “On one hand, she talks a lot, but on the other, it’s like everything is mixed together.”

The horrors of captivity are etched deeply into Liri’s soul. After being taken, she adapted to her grim reality, outsmarting her captors and learning to survive.

“I’ll play their game, but I’ll outsmart them,” Liri told her mother. Over time, she learned Arabic and studied her captors’ psychology, knowing when to speak and when to stay silent to minimize her risk.

Liri’s traumatic experience wasn’t limited to the physical suffering she endured. “She told us, ‘Mom, we were in hell, and we have to get everyone out,’” Shira recalls.

Liri’s concern was not only for her own survival but also for the fate of others, especially the men and boys, who she said “suffered even more.”

The traumatic events of October 7, the day Liri was kidnapped, continue to haunt her. “She told me it was just as hard as captivity—if not worse,” Shira says, reflecting the deep scars left by the attack.

The terror of that day, when many soldiers were left waiting helplessly as their friends died, is something Liri has yet to fully process.

While Liri’s return has brought joy to her family, the journey ahead is fraught with challenges. As Shira explains, “Liri won’t truly heal, we won’t heal as a family, and Israel won’t heal—until they’re all back.”

Liri’s return serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for the many hostages still held by Hamas, and the Albag family’s call for their safe return remains urgent.

Shira’s message is clear: “We can’t stop now.” For Liri, the fight is not just about personal healing—it’s about ensuring that all those still held in captivity are brought home.

As the country rallies behind its hostages, the battle for justice and healing continues, with the hope that one day, every family will experience the same relief that the Albag family has finally found.