By Erin Levi
After spending more than 15 months as a hostage in Gaza, 20-year-old Karina Ariev has broken her silence with powerful messages to the public, vowing to fight for those still held captive and honor the memory of fallen comrades.
Ariev, a Bukharian Jewish Israeli from Jerusalem, was serving as an IDF field observer at the Nahal Oz army base on the Gaza border when Hamas militants stormed the facility on October 7, 2023. Despite calling for backup, which never arrived, she was taken hostage along with several fellow observers. Her last words to her family that morning, delivered in a frantic phone call, were expressions of love and an instruction to «continue our lives.»
Known for her creative spirit and diverse talents—including cooking, singing, dancing, and playing the flute—Ariev speaks four languages and previously volunteered at a kindergarten. She spent her 20th birthday in captivity before being released in January 2025 as part of a deal that saw Israel free 200 prisoners in exchange for her and other hostages.
Now safely home, Ariev has emerged as a powerful voice for those still held in Gaza. In a video message posted on X, she described her captivity as «a nightmare,» revealing moments when she thought she would never return home. «There were times when I said to myself, ‘That’s it, you won’t get out of here,'» she shared. However, she credited the public’s sustained support and protests with giving her the strength to endure: «I saw you all, and I saw all the pain and the people who took to the streets for us… that’s what saved me.»
In a written statement, Ariev expressed gratitude to the IDF soldiers «who fought and continue to fight day and night on all fronts,» acknowledging the sacrifices made to secure her freedom. She also thanked supporters worldwide, noting that their actions demonstrated «the unity, love, values, and morality of the people of Israel and the Jewish people.»
Looking ahead, Ariev has committed herself to a new mission: commemorating her fallen comrades from the Nahal Oz post and advocating for the remaining hostages. «I will fight for justice and truth alongside the families,» she declared, adding, «I was there. No one must be left behind, and I will not rest until they are all home in Israel.»
Her release came alongside fellow IDF observers Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, though approximately 90 hostages remain in Gaza. As part of the current ceasefire agreement that began on January 19, 2025, 33 more hostages are expected to be freed over six weeks.
That plan, however, now hangs in limbo, with Hamas accusing Israel of breaking the agreement and threatening not to release anymore hostages. Israel has quipped back saying there will be violence if Hamas doesn’t release the hostages by Saturday.
«I survived to remember, I survived to tell,» Ariev stated firmly in her video message, «and especially to make the voices of my friends heard, who were with me on that terrible day.»