The household of an Israeli hostage who was filmed in a brand new proof-of-life video by Hamas is “unrecognisable” regardless of the phobia group’s obvious efforts to enhance her look, in line with her household.
Liri Elbag was one of six soldiers to be kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base, close to the border with Gaza. She is one among 100 remaining hostages of 251 taken on Oct 7, round 60 of whom are believed to nonetheless be alive.
The 19-year-old hostage, who is because of flip 20 subsequent month, seems to have been given a brand new military shirt for the video. She additionally seems to be carrying a sweatshirt beneath her clothes, more likely to conceal weight reduction.
Shira Elbag, her mom, mentioned after the video was launched: “This isn’t the Liri we all know.”
Liri Elbag earlier than she was captured by Hamas
Mrs Elbag mentioned her daughter appeared “turned off and scared” within the video. “We hear that the terrorists are standing by with weapons and dictating to her what to say.”
She mentioned she had been “ready for an indication of life for thus lengthy” and that her household “collapsed” after discovering out that Liri had appeared in Hamas’s latest video.
“She must be residence, she wants her mum and pop. She hasn’t seen daylight for greater than 400 days. We’re robust and we are going to struggle. She’s coming again alive, imagine it.”
Hamas purposefully tried to enhance the looks of hostages earlier than they had been launched, which they could even have accomplished previous to filming proof-of-life movies, in line with a report submitted to the United Nations by the Israeli health ministry.
Video of Hamas seize in October 2023
Based on the UN report, those who are fed “excessively” earlier than returning to Israel had been prone to refeeding syndrome, which may happen when malnourished folks begin consuming once more.
The report additionally said that round half of the returned hostages described being intentionally starved throughout their captivity.
“They got a poor weight loss program, which regularly led to starvation that worsened over time. Along with insufficient diet, they had been saved in darkish areas, rising the chance of vitamin D deficiency,” it said, with hostages struggling a median weight lack of 10-17 per cent of their physique weight.
The frantic mom informed Israel’s Kan information that whereas she is “pleased to see an indication of life… there may be the opposite facet and it’s troublesome”.
The video was launched amid stories that Hamas had handed over a listing of 34 hostages to Israeli negotiators as ceasefire negotiations proceed in Doha, Qatar.
An nameless Hamas official mentioned that any deal is contingent upon reaching an settlement on an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a everlasting ceasefire.
Nevertheless, Israel’s Prime Minister’s workplace denied the claims, releasing a press release which mentioned: “Opposite to what was claimed, Hamas has not forwarded a listing of names of abductees till this second.”
Hamas didn’t reply to The Telegraph when approached for remark.
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