Four young female Israeli hostages, freed from Hamas captivity, endured starvation, intimidation, and forced participation in propaganda. Their parents share harrowing details of their experiences as they adapt back to life after months of trauma.
Survivors Speak: The Harrowing Experiences of Israeli Women Held Captive by Hamas
Survivors Speak: The Harrowing Experiences of Israeli Women Held Captive by Hamas
Parents of recently freed hostages share the painful stories of their daughters' ordeals during their captivity, highlighting abuse, starvation, and survival strategies.
Parents of four young female Israeli hostages recently released from Hamas captivity in Gaza have brightly highlighted the severe abuse their daughters faced. The women, who spent 15 months in brutal conditions, reported suffering from starvation, threats, and forced labor, including cleaning and cooking for their captors. Held in secretive underground tunnels and buildings, the hostages had their access to food sporadically managed, which affected their health drastically.
Orly Gilboa, mother of Daniella, one of the hostages, noted that her daughter was only properly fed during the last few months before release. This contrast in treatment was stark depending on the location and the specific situation at the time, with some places providing relative comfort and sustenance, while others left them barely surviving.
Alongside physical abuse, the women were coerced into participating in Hamas propaganda, including reenacting fake deaths to further the narrative of their captors. The parents express deep concern over the psychological scars left by such experiences, as well as a lingering fear for the fate of remaining hostages.
Three of the young women, including Agam Berger and Naama Levy, were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, from the Nahal Oz army base. Their accounts reveal the constant presence of armed guards who treated them with disdain. Specifically, Agam witnessed violence against fellow captives, while occasionally displaying resistance through discreet acts, like refusing to work on the Sabbath.
Despite the chaos of their captivity, moments of hope emerged—Naama found solace in seeing her father on television, inspiring her to endure the nightmare. Meanwhile, parents reported significant health issues post-release, including extreme weight loss among their daughters. Emotional reunions filled with mixed feelings of joy and trauma have characterized the subsequent homecomings.
As the families navigate the recovery process, they emphasize the importance of addressing the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urge for lasting peace. The ongoing desire for a continued ceasefire has also been voiced, highlighting the need for compassion and understanding amidst their pain.
