Freed Hostage Reacts to Elimination of Hamas Commander Involved in Captivity

Freed Israeli hostage Liri Albag expressed strong emotions following the elimination of a Hamas commander, Muhammad Hamad Muhammad Jabein, who she stated was involved in her captivity for nearly a year. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet announced on Sunday that Jabein, a commander in Hamas's military wing, was killed in an airstrike in northern Gaza last Tuesday. According to the security agencies, Jabein was involved in holding nine hostages: Ziv Berman, Eitan Mor, Liri Albag, Agam Berger, Matan Angrest, Gali Berman, Omri Miran, Keith Segal, and Alon Ahl.

Albag, who was held with Agam Berger, described the event as a "crazy full circle" and stated, "When good news like this arrives, you can't hide the smile." While acknowledging she has much to recount about the suffering Jabein inflicted, she chose not to give him "even one more word" on this day, opting instead to "smile a huge smile and tell him, rot in hell, you scoundrel. How great that you are no longer here."

Albag also recalled a conversation with Jabein while in captivity, where they debated who would end up in hell, concluding, "Nice to know we were right this time too." Matan Angrest, another former hostage whose captivity Jabein was involved in, also reacted to the news. Angrest posted a picture of the eliminated commander with the caption, "How much I waited for this moment. Proud of my brothers in arms who sent you to hell!!!" He further quoted, "I will pursue my enemies and overtake them; I will not return until they are destroyed."