Israeli hostage Agam Berger’s braiding of released captives has become a symbol of quiet strength and resilience

On Oct. 7, 2023, female Israel Defense Forces (IDF) surveillance soldier Agam Berger was brutally kidnapped, along with six others, by Hamas terrorists from the Nahal Oz base near the Gaza border. Today, she and the braids she made for other hostages have become symbols of quiet strength and resilience.

Israel welcomed the release on Saturday of four female IDF observer hostages Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Liri Albag and Naama Levy.

However, Israelis are still awaiting the release of the fifth female soldier, the “mysterious braider,” Berger who is expected to be released on Thursday. 

The former hostage Chen Goldstein-Almog raised the issue of these mysterious braids. 

"Perhaps somebody in Gaza, in an attempt to signal the world, was braiding the hair of those getting released," she said. The former hostage explained that Berger’s braids became a symbol of humanity and empowerment for women amid inhumane living conditions in Hamas captivity. 

“It suddenly became something very human, warm, and empowering for women, for that bit of humanity where you want to feel like a person again and feel... normal in the midst of something so abnormal,” Goldstein-Almog said. 

"Agam braided our hair before we left. It felt like she was giving us a piece of her strength to carry with us,” another former female hostage recalled. This description prompted the news outlet Israel Hayom to describe the braids as "a touching and silent farewell, a way of holding onto hope.”

“Now they can decide for themselves whether to get a haircut, keep braiding their hair, or let it flow freely. The main thing is that they choose,” said the hairstylist of the former hostage Romi Gonen. 

While the braids became the physical symbol of Berger’s resilience, former hostages have revealed that her perseverance is ultimately rooted in her faith and strong religious Jewish values. For instance, Berger reportedly defiantly risked her life by refusing to cook on Shabbat for Hamas terrorists in Gaza. 

"She prayed a lot, blessed the food, and refused to light a fire on Shabbat," the former hostage Agam Goldstein recalled. Berger reportedly managed to remain calm despite being held for extended periods in tunnels and safe houses without access to natural light. 

"She kept strong, maintained her faith, and was the silent support for others," a family member recalled. 

Berger’s parents Merav and Shlomi have been working hard for the release of their daughter from captivity in Gaza. The family has been traumatized by the long captivity of their daughter. 

In December 2023, Shlomi Berger described the family as broken due to their daughter’s captivity. 

"We are a broken family, three more children who are not functioning, little by little some of them have managed to return to themselves, one managed to go back to school, he is in the 7th grade, but it took him a month and a half. Another sister in the 12th grade who you can't even talk to about going back, and my wife says she can't go back to work," the father said.

At the time, Agam Berger had been kidnapped for 82 days. Today, she has been in captivity for 479 days. 

However, the Berger family is still cautiously optimistic about the future. 

"Agam always knew how to give to others," Merav told the news outlet Israel Hayom. "Even now, she shows strength in what she is doing,” the mother added.