Agam Berger, age 19, from Holon, is one of five female observers who were abducted to Gaza from the Nahal Oz military post on Oct. 7 and remain in captivity. The disturbing footage of her abduction alongside her friends, captured by the terrorists' body cameras, was released by her family. The only image published since then was an image of her sitting injured on a mattress in a red shirt alongside three other female observers held in Gaza. Agam had served in her position for just one day, and a single reassignment determined her fate. Her mother, Merav, recounted that "Agam was originally supposed to be stationed at Kerem Shalom. At the last moment, they changed her assignment to Nahal-Oz. On Thursday, she went to the base. I sent her a video where we recorded our farewell blessing for her. The next day, during her first day as an observer at Nahal-Oz, she was violently abducted."
Much of her captivity was spent with her four fellow female field observers – Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy. In the second hostage release of the current ceasefire on January 25, the four young women were released while Agam remained behind. The decision to keep her in captivity was reportedly arbitrary, with one of the hostages even requesting to rstaywith her, but the captors refused. It's unfathomable to process the reality of a young woman remaining in terrorist hands while her four close friends return home, yet the released hostages described her condition as "okay." Her family showed remarkable resilience and dignity – her twin sister Li-Yam addressed her continued captivity, saying: "We thought. We expected. We hoped. We are happy for the observers who gained their freedom. Who got to embrace their families. We are very happy for them, and we'll wait for our turn. I'm already imagining myself in Agam's embrace."
The Berger family from Holon consists of parents Merav and Shlomi, twin sister Li-Ya,m who was born two minutes before her, and a younger brother who celebrated his bar mitzvah during her captivity. In November 2023, during the first hostage deal, Agam sent messages to her parents through Agam Goldstein, a released hostage who had stayed with her. Agam Goldstein called Agam Berger's father precisely on his birthday to inform him that his daughter was aware of the occasion. She told the parents that their daughter maintains Shabbat observance even in captivity.
She described how Hamas terrorists ordered Agam to cook food, but she steadfastly refused to desecrate Shabbat. Agam is a gifted violinist who has been playing since age 8. Her room has become a pilgrimage site for her friends, every corner expressing longing and anticipation for her return. Numerous photos of her adorn the walls, decorated with messages of yearning written by her friends. In her diary, Agam wrote on her birthday: "I wish myself and my loved ones happiness and strong health until 120. That I continue on my path and only succeed in everything I do." Now she will return to her family.
