These 5 women were kidnapped in October. We now know what was said to them.

This story includes depictions of violence that may be distressing to some readers.

Israeli television has aired previously withheld footage of five female army conscripts being seized by gunmen during the Hamas raid that triggered the Gaza war.

The captives' families hoped the footage of the women's October 7 capture would increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree a truce with Hamas and secure the hostages' release. The women's names are Agam Berger, Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev and Naama Levy. They are all 19 years old.

The Netanyahu government used the release of the subtitled three-minute clip to national and international media as an opportunity to shore up support.

Hamas defended its fighters' conduct and called the video a bid to manipulate public opinion.

"These girls are still in the captivity of Hamas — please don't look away," Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told reporters.

"Watch the film — support Israel in bringing our people home."

Trigger alert –

The video of the female observers’ abduction, is a wake-up call to the civilized world. We must condemn those actions and we can not abandon the hostages held captive for 229 days.

This video, captured by the body cameras of Hamas terrorists on October 7th,… pic.twitter.com/wuRxpsTBtA

— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) May 22, 2024

The footage shows the young women, all of them terrified and some bloodied, being bound and bundled into a Jeep. 

In one scene, a man tells one woman she is "so beautiful".

"I have friends in Palestine," one of the soldiers, 19-year-old Naama Levy, pleads in English.

"You are dogs. We will step on you, dogs," one of the gunmen can be heard shouting back in Arabic.

Footage from the hostage video. 

The Hostages Families Forum, which represents relatives of the 124 people — mostly civilians — still held by Hamas, said in a statement that the footage was recovered from body cams worn by gunmen who attacked the Nahal Oz base in southern Israel where the women served as surveillance spotters.

The publication was approved by the families of the five captives, the forum said, adding: "The Israeli government must not waste another moment; it must return to the negotiating table today."

Within hours, Netanyahu's security cabinet convened and authorised an effort to renew talks, which had stumbled over Hamas' demand that Israel end the Gaza war in exchange for all the hostages, an Israeli official said.

It was not immediately clear when or on what terms new negotiations might take place.

Israel says 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 abducted in the October 7 attack led by Hamas.

Footage from the hostage video.

Agam Berger, 19, is a twin, a violinist and had only been in the position for a day before she was kidnapped.

Liri Albag turned 19 in captivity. Her father describes her as a girl of "peace and love". 

Daniella Gilboa's boyfriend of seven years proposed to her during her captivity. They've been together since 7th grade and both study music. 

Karina Ariev is described as "innocent and gentle" and "creative and talented". She loves to paint, sing and dance and wants to pursue a career in the beauty industry.

Naama Levy is a "quiet and determined" athlete. An optimistic young woman who "dreamed of making the world a better place."

From top left: Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Naama Levy, Agam Berger and Liri Albag, who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Image: The Times of Israel

Israel responded by launching an offensive to eliminate the Iranian-backed Islamist group in which Gaza health authorities say more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Israel's military says 286 Israeli soldiers have also been killed.

Netanyahu's government says continued military pressure will force Hamas to yield.

Hostage families fear their loved ones will not survive and that the women captives could be raped.

"So please, please do whatever you can to, to bring them home," Orly Gilboa, whose daughter Daniela is a hostage, told Reuters.

"They suffer there every minute, every second — and every minute is important."

Feature image: From top left: Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Naama Levy, Agam Berger and Liri Albag, who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Image: The Times of Israel.