Eli Albag Reveals Efforts to Obtain Intelligence on Daughter Liri’s Captivity in Gaza

Eli Albag, father of Liri Albag, an Israeli observer kidnapped on October 7 and later released from captivity in Gaza, disclosed in a July 5 interview how he sought information about his daughter during her captivity. Speaking on 103FM with Gideon Oku and Amichai Etali, Albag revealed he met with Palestinian officials, including some he described as "the bad ones," to gather intelligence. He confirmed receiving accurate medical information about Liri’s injury, which was initially reported as a nail injury during her captivity.

Albag criticized the Israeli leadership, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, blaming him for the ongoing national division and the tragic loss of over 1,200 lives during the October 7 attack. He expressed doubt that a state inquiry into the events would be established as long as Netanyahu remains in office, stating, "There will be no investigation committee as long as Bibi is prime minister."

He called for a change in government leadership, endorsing former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot as a suitable candidate for prime minister. Albag praised Eizenkot as a clean and dedicated leader who supported his family during difficult times. He also dismissed claims by Minister Bezalel Smotrich that the hostages returned "thanks to him," emphasizing the complexity of the situation when meeting face-to-face with officials.

Albag recounted paying businessman Tzvika Nave one million shekels to help obtain a foreign passport for Liri, a task that ultimately failed and resulted in a refund. Despite the challenges, he affirmed his commitment to exhausting all means to bring his daughter home, showing no regrets for his efforts.

The interview highlighted the personal toll on families of hostages and the political tensions surrounding the government's handling of the crisis and its aftermath.