Combat Helicopter Footage Shows Hostage Taking at Nachal Oz

Exclusive footage captured by an Israeli Air Force combat helicopter shows the moment five female IDF observers were abducted from the Nachal Oz military outpost on October 7, 2023. The video, which had been kept classified by the IDF, reveals the confusion and distress of the pilots who identified a jeep entering the outpost and taking the observers but struggled to confirm if they were Hamas terrorists.

In the cockpit audio, pilots can be heard expressing uncertainty, with one stating, "It doesn't look like the terrorists, I can't shoot at them. I don't understand what it is." Another pilot reports seeing people entering a vehicle in the middle of the outpost, noting, "A large vehicle with 4 people next to it in the middle of the outpost, it doesn't look like the terrorists." The helicopter crew sought confirmation before engaging, highlighting the chaotic situation and lack of immediate situational awareness.

The five observers, Liiri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Agam Berger, became symbols of the fight to secure the release of hostages. They were eventually returned to Israel in January 2025 as part of a hostage deal, after which they were reunited with their families and received medical and rehabilitation care.

The footage, released on the third anniversary of the October 7th massacre, offers a rare glimpse into the operational challenges and the moments of bewilderment experienced by Israeli forces during the initial Hamas attack.