Only five months after being released from Hamas captivity, Liri Albag is once more putting on her uniform, this time to serve in a new role in the IDF. Albag, who was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz post during the October 7 attack, is determined to continue contributing and making an impact, even after enduring one of the most harrowing experiences a young woman can face.
She will return to a meaningful position in the IDF, but not as a reconnaissance soldier — the role she held during the Hamas assault.
Service After Recovery
Her father, Eli Albag, said Monday in an interview with Kan Bet: “She went through a recovery process, traveled both in Israel and abroad, and most importantly – returned to herself. Now she’s going back to the army, not as a lookout, but in a truly significant role. She’s stepped away from the headlines and is working quietly. In my eyes, she’s a hero, and I support her in every decision she makes.”
Targeted on Social Media
He also addressed the online abuse his daughter has faced, saying that only when others experience the abduction of their own children will they understand what his family is going through. “Then you’ll have the right to speak,” he said, adding that he remains silent in the face of criticism toward bereaved families — even those who oppose hostage deals. “It’s a bunch of fools who don’t understand what families of hostages go through, what it’s like for those who’ve lost a loved one,” he said.
Credit to the Prime Minister
Eli also commented on recent actions by the Israeli prime minister, saying: “I give credit to the Prime Minister for the whole move with Iran — it was brave.” Still, he stated that criticism of the prime minister is legitimate but believes the priority should be on returning the hostages, not on forming investigative committees. “The most important thing now is to focus on bringing all the hostages home,” Eli emphasized.
477 Days in Captivity
Liri served as a reconnaissance soldier on the Gaza border, and was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz post a mere two days after arriving there on the first Saturday of her mandatory service, having just completed her training. She was held in Gaza for 477 days before being freed as part of a hostage deal in January this year, when the IDF halted operations in Gaza and released terrorists held in prison in exchange for her release.
