World
January 26, 2025 10:00
tel aviv - Female hostages reveal details of their captivity and release after surviving Hamas' attempt to impress the world.
Female Hostages Survive Hamas' Last Attempt to Impress
The hostages released by Hamas on Saturday have shared details of their captivity and release. The event of Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag's release was watched by the world. Hamas wanted to impress the hostages one last time, but the female soldiers stood their ground. Dressed in military uniforms, they had to stand on a stage in front of hundreds of armed Hamas members and Gaza residents.
"On the stage, we showed them that we were not impressed. We are stronger than they are," one of the hostages told their family according to Kan TV News. Israeli security chiefs were concerned about the event organized by Hamas, but the soldiers managed to turn 'humiliation into victory'.
They spent 477 days in captivity after being abducted by terrorists on October 7, 2023. A few days before their release, they were held with another soldier, Agam Berger. The four women had a hard time when they realized Berger did not return with them to Israel.
Naama Levy was also held with Doron Streinbrecher, who was released a week earlier. Together, they tried to 'exercise for body and soul' and stay healthy. During their captivity, the women tried to stay hopeful. Some of them even learned to speak Arabic. After their release, while sitting in an IDF helicopter, they joked that they couldn't understand Hebrew anymore and the pilot should speak Arabic to them.
One of the women was held alone in a tunnel for a long time, where she could barely breathe. Others were sometimes held in the houses of Gazans and played with Gaza children. They all experienced periods of little food. At times, they had to cook for Hamas members while being deprived of food themselves.
The soldiers describe being treated 'shockingly' without proper medical care for their injuries. They were unable to shower during low periods and had no access to hygiene. They tried to support each other through difficult times, but some Hamas members didn't even allow them to hold hands.
Like the hostages released last week, these women also had access to radio and television. They were aware of the struggle their families and other Israelis were going through for them. They even joked about the photos their families had chosen for posters. After 477 days, they can finally share those jokes with their families.