Hamas Releases Video of Israeli Hostage Liri Albag Amid Ceasefire Talks
Hamas has released a video of Liri Albag, a 19-year-old Israeli hostage, as indirect ceasefire negotiations between the group and Israel resume in Qatar. The video shows Albag calling for the Israeli government to negotiate a deal for her release.
Albag, who was captured along with six other female Israeli conscripts during Hamas’s October 2023 attack on the Nahal Oz army base, remains in captivity along with five others. The release of the video comes as Israeli airstrikes on Gaza intensify. According to Gaza’s health ministry, 88 people were killed in bombings over the past 24 hours, including an airstrike in Gaza City that killed 11 people, including seven children.
Escalating Violence and the Toll on Gaza
The explosion on Saturday shook the Gaza City neighborhood, causing massive destruction. Witnesses reported that the home targeted was occupied by children and women, with no one involved in military actions or posing a threat. “A huge explosion woke us up. Everything was shaking,” said a neighbor, Ahmed Mussa.
Israel’s military reported that it struck over 100 “terror targets” in Gaza, claiming to have eliminated dozens of Hamas militants. The ongoing violence and airstrikes have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry also reported the destruction of all three government hospitals in northern Gaza, which are now out of service due to Israeli military actions.
Emotional Response from Liri Albag’s Family
The release of the video showing Liri Albag has deeply affected her family. Her parents appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “make decisions as if your own children were there.” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents families of hostages, called the video “harsh and undeniable proof of the urgency” to bring all hostages home.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, in a call to Albag’s parents, reassured them that Israel’s delegation would remain at the negotiating table until all hostages are returned. However, Israeli officials have previously claimed that Hamas’s release of such videos is part of psychological warfare.
Renewed Efforts for Ceasefire and Hostage Deal
Despite ongoing violence, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release deal have resumed in Qatar. Last month, a senior Palestinian official suggested that the talks were nearly complete, though some key issues still remained unresolved.
Rising Regional Tensions: Houthi Missile Attacks
As the conflict escalates, the Israeli military also reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen by the Iran-backed Houthi movement. The Houthis claimed to have fired a hypersonic missile at a power station near Haifa in Israel. This marks the latest in a series of missile attacks from the group, which says the actions are in retaliation for Israeli military operations in Gaza.
The Broader Conflict: Impact on Civilians and Military Developments
The war between Hamas and Israel, which began with Hamas’s deadly attack on southern Israel in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties. Hamas claims that more than 45,800 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel’s military response began. On Saturday, Israel announced plans for an $8 billion arms sale to Israel, which includes missiles and munitions. This comes just weeks before President Biden leaves office.
Meanwhile, global calls for an end to attacks on hospitals and civilians continue, with the World Health Organization’s Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressing the need for healthcare access in Gaza. Despite international criticism, Israel insists that its operations are conducted in accordance with international law, and it does not intentionally target civilians.
As the violence continues, the future of the ceasefire talks remains uncertain, with both sides enduring heavy losses and international calls for peace growing louder.
