The Disturbing Truth: 5 female IDF hostages were held by Senior Hamas Official

According to their testimonies, the soldiers—Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Agam Berger—were held in a secret apartment in Gaza City, where they were used as human shields by a senior Hamas commander. This figure, a key leader in Hamas's military wing in northern Gaza, manipulated the soldiers emotionally while attempting to extract sensitive information about IDF operations.

The five women were initially captured during Hamas’s October 7 massacre and held for over a year before their release in late January and early February. While confined in the apartment, the soldiers were subjected to psychological manipulation. The senior Hamas figure, who controlled the safe house, played the role of the “good cop” by offering basic comforts such as food and shower access, all while subtly pressuring them to divulge intelligence about Israel’s military activities near Gaza’s border in the days before the devastating attack.

Although the captives were treated somewhat better than other hostages—being given food and personal care—the emotional manipulation was relentless. The senior Hamas leader, who the soldiers did not realize was such a high-ranking member of the terror organization until after their release, attempted to exploit their vulnerability to gain crucial intelligence. Unlike the other militants who viewed the soldiers as mere captives, this leader sought to foster a rapport with them, hoping to coerce them into revealing valuable information.

The soldiers' captivity and the manipulation they endured highlight the psychological torment inflicted by their captors. Despite this, all five women have shown remarkable resilience. They have expressed a desire to return to the IDF, though not in their former surveillance roles. Their ordeal underscores the harrowing realities of hostage situations and the lengths to which terrorist organizations will go to extract intelligence.

The women’s return to Israel marks a bittersweet moment, as they now begin their long journey toward healing. They are participating in rehabilitation programs designed to help them recover from the trauma inflicted by their captors. While their ordeal was harrowing, their strength and determination to return to their duties is a testament to their courage and commitment.