“The Unrecognizable Price of Freedom: The Heartbreaking Story of a Soldier’s Captivity”

**Heart-wrenching Proof-of-Life Video of Israeli Hostage: A Mother’s Plea for Her Daughter’s Release**

Liri Elbag, one of the six Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hamas from the Nahal Oz base near the Gaza border, has appeared in a new proof-of-life video. The 19-year-old hostage, who turns 20 next month, was one of the 251 soldiers taken on October 7, with only 100 remaining and 60 believed to be alive.

The video, released by Hamas, shows Elbag in a new army shirt, with a sweatshirt worn underneath to hide her weight loss. Her mother, Shira Elbag, described the images as “unrecognizable” and her daughter’s appearance as “distracted and scared.”

“We heard the terrorists were standing by with guns blazing and ordering her what to say,” Elbag said in an interview. “This is not the Lily we knew.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has denied Hamas’ claims of having forwarded a list of abductees, including Elbag, which were attributed to ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar. Meanwhile, Hamas has demanded Israel withdraw its troops from Gaza and agree to a permanent ceasefire in exchange for the hostages’ release.

Elbag’s mother expressed her family’s devastation at the video’s release, stating that they were “waiting for a long time for signs of life.” She pleaded for her daughter’s release, saying, “She needs to go home, she needs mom and dad. She hasn’t seen the sun in over four hundred days. We are strong and we will fight. She will come back alive, believe it.”

The Israeli Health Ministry has submitted a report to the United Nations highlighting Hamas’ efforts to improve the appearance of hostages before releasing them, and potentially before filming proof-of-life videos. According to the report, those who “overeat” before returning to Israel are at risk of refeeding syndrome, which occurs when a malnourished person starts eating again.

The report also pointed out that about half of the returned hostages have reported being deliberately starved while in captivity, leading to poor eating habits and increased hunger over time. They are often kept in dark spaces, increasing the risk of vitamin D deficiency.

As negotiations continue, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

**FAQs**

* Who is Liri Elbag?
Liri Elbag is a 19-year-old Israeli soldier who was kidnapped by Hamas from the Nahal Oz base near the Gaza border in October 2023.

* How many soldiers were taken by Hamas?
Initially, 251 Israeli soldiers were taken by Hamas, but only 100 remain, with 60 believed to be alive.

* What is the current status of the negotiations?
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, with a video footage of Liri Elbag’s appearance released as a possible sign of goodwill. However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has denied Hamas’ claims of having forwarded a list of abductees.

**Conclusion**

The release of Liri Elbag’s proof-of-life video has sent shockwaves across the international community, with her family’s desperate pleas for her release resounding loud and clear. As negotiations continue, it is crucial that the world comes together to support the families of the hostages and work towards a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Only then can we hope to see the safe return of Liri Elbag and the other hostages, and bring an end to this heart-wrenching ordeal.