5 freed hostages get to go shopping – and we can't stop smiling
The mall opened exclusively for these young women, and we hope they get a chance at rehabilitation and happiness after what they endured.
In a touching moment of return to normalcy, five female IDF lookouts recently freed from Hamas captivity experienced their first shopping trip at Ayalon Mall, which closed its doors to the public specifically for this special occasion.
The women, still under medical supervision at Beilinson Hospital, were treated to an intimate concert where an orchestra played on the lower floor while they watched and sang from the stairway. The private performance offered a gentle reintroduction to everyday pleasures after their captivity.
Among them, Liri Albag marked her 20th birthday surrounded by family, sharing a poignant message on Instagram alongside photos of her celebration: "Today I get to celebrate 20 with my loved ones. My only wish is for all hostages to return."
While the group has chosen not to join other released hostages at the Kfar Hamaccabiah Hotel, they are expected to return home tomorrow. The transition marks another step in their journey of recovery.
In a recent radio interview on 103FM, Liri's father Avi Eli shared her sobering account of captivity, including disturbing interactions with young children who had been taught to express hatred toward Jews.