Hostage Survivor Liri Albag Shares Her Journey of Recovery and Resilience

Liri Albag, who was released from Hamas captivity 21 months ago, is navigating a challenging path of recovery, described by her mother, Shira, as "walking on eggshells" due to the ongoing sensitivity of her trauma. Albag, 21, shared that the initial euphoria of her release has given way to a profound understanding of her ordeal, likening her emotional state to a "rollercoaster." She recounted the harsh conditions of her captivity, including the denial of basic human comfort like hugging or crying together with other hostages, which led to a state of apathy.

Albag is undergoing therapy and finds support in fellow former hostages, including Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, Agam Berger, and Naama Levy, who she says are the only ones who truly understand her experience. Her family, particularly her mother, also provides constant support. Despite the trauma, Albag has returned to military service in a classified role, completing her service three months after her release, aiming to "close a circle" and feel like a "normal girl" again.

She met her boyfriend, Tomer Skolbin, a fitness coach, six months after her release, and he has been instrumental in rebuilding her confidence, seeing her beyond her identity as a hostage. Albag is contemplating moving in with Skolbin soon, though her mother humorously expresses reservations about her growing up too quickly. Albag also discussed her desire to have at least five children as a form of "sweetest revenge" and to continue her family's lineage.

Albag was abducted from the Nachal Oz military base on October 7, where she served as an observer. She endured 477 days in captivity, moved between 22 different locations, and spent 103 days in underground tunnels. She described moments of intense fear, living with armed captors whose unpredictable behavior created constant anxiety. However, she noted that the captors had an interest in keeping the hostages alive for potential ransom.

During her captivity, Albag and other hostages were able to obtain a radio and occasionally saw news on the captors' television, even catching glimpses of her parents. She also recalled a poignant moment at her sister Roni's wedding, where a song that accompanied them during captivity played, leading to an emotional dance that symbolized a powerful sense of closure and family resilience. Albag expressed that she does not consider herself a celebrity, despite her large social media following, and values her privacy.