Freed Israeli Hostage Recounts Experience At Hands Of Hamas In Gaza
Yocheved Lifshitz, an 85-year-old Israeli hostage released by Hamas, recounted her harrowing experience at a press conference in Tel Aviv Tuesday and criticised the Israeli military for failing to prevent the initial Hamas attack.
It is believed that more than 200 Israelis were taken as hostages back to Gaza during a violent attack on October 7th by Hamas.
Lifshitz described an intricate underground maze where she was held, explaining that the tunnel system resembled a “spiderweb” and noted that “each [hostage] had a guard watching him or her.”
Physically frail but resilient in spirit, Lifshitz revealed that Hamas had made meticulous arrangements for their hostages.
“They seemed really prepared for it. They had concealed it for a long time, and they took care of all the needs that people need, shampoo and conditioner,” she said.
Detailing how Hamas fed the hostages, Lifshitz said: “They gave us pitta bread, hard cheese, some low fat cream cheese and cucumber and that was our food for the entire day.”
She also detailed the terrifying moment of her abduction from her residence in Nir Oz, close to the Gaza border. She recounted being transported on a motorbike, with her body awkwardly positioned, and being “taken through ploughed fields.” During this ordeal she said the fighters capturing her struck her with sticks.
However, her daughter Sharone Lifshitz, who resides in London and had flown to Tel Aviv to be with her mother, provided some contrast to the narrative. Acting as a translator for her mother, she highlighted the unexpected treatment the hostages received.
Sharone said: “My mum is saying they [Hamas] were very friendly towards them. They took care of them.”
Further elaborating on their care, the daughter translated: “They were given medicine. They were treated. One of the men with them was badly injured from a motorbike accident on the way. One of the paramedics gave him medicine and antibiotics. The people were friendly and they kept the place very clean.”
Lifshitz also criticised the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for their perceived complacency. She felt that the IDF did not sufficiently heed the warnings of a potential Hamas infiltration.
Hamas released Lifshitz along with another elderly woman, Nurit Cooper, due to health concerns. However, the husbands of both women remain in captivity.
The astonishing moment of freedom was captured on camera, as Hamas fighters transferred their captives into the care of Red Cross representatives. As Lifshitz departed, she shook the hand of one Hamas guard and offered him a simple peace blessing: “Shalom.”
