Israeli Hostage Recounts Ordeal Following Assault by Hamas and Subsequent Captivity

Eighty-five-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz recounted the horrors of an October 7 attack on her community by Hamas militants, describing it as “an unimaginable ordeal unlike anything we had ever anticipated.” Lifshitz was the earliest among the four individuals who have been released to publicly discuss their traumatic experiences, spanning from the onset of the attack to more than a fortnight in captivity.

Speaking softly while seated in a wheelchair, Lifshitz addressed journalists this past Tuesday at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. Her address came just a day following her release, along with 79-year-old Nurit Cooper. “Crowds invaded our homes, assaulted residents, and took several individuals hostage without regard for age,” she conveyed.

Oded Lifshitz, her 83-year-old spouse, remains in captivity in the Gaza Strip.

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Lifshitz, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was among the upwards of 200 Israeli and international hostages taken after armed Hamas militants penetrated Israel’s multi-billion-dollar electric border defenses, surging through southern Israel and overtaking nearly 24 communities, military installations, and a desert event. The attack resulted in more than 1,400 fatalities in a single day.

The Israeli Defense Forces have initiated a severe military campaign against Gaza with the objective of neutralizing Hamas, resulting in over 5,000 deaths, as per statistics from the Gaza Health Ministry led by Hamas. Lifshitz shared that her captors forced her onto a motorcycle, stripped her of personal items like watches and jewelry, and subjected her to physical abuse, leaving her ribs bruised and her breathing strained.

Upon her arrival in Gaza, Lifshitz navigated several kilometers to reach an intricate tunnel network, likening its complexity to a “spider’s web.” She was initially placed in a room with 25 other detainees before being moved to a smaller group of four individuals.

Guards overseeing her captivity stated their adherence to Quranic principles and assured her of their intention not to inflict harm. Lifshitz stated that detainees received humane treatment and medical attention, describing the conditions as sanitary. Both captors and captives were given a daily meal consisting of cheese, cucumber, and pita bread.

Both Lifshitz and her husband were known for their peace activism, often facilitating the transportation of Palestinian patients from Gaza for medical care in Israeli facilities. However, while in captivity, they and other hostages informed their captors that they preferred to avoid political discussions.

Lifshitz and Cooper represented the second set of individuals to be liberated. Last Friday, two Israeli-American women were released by Hamas. The Israeli government has prioritized the safe repatriation of all hostages.

Lifshitz also criticized the Israeli government for ignoring prior indicators that hinted at an impending attack. “We became the government’s sacrificial lambs,” she lamented. “Hamas had issued warnings three weeks prior, initiating acts like field arson and releasing incendiary balloons. Yet, the military failed to act on these warning signs.”

For additional coverage, visit AP’s ongoing reports.

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More about Israeli Hostage Hamas Attack

• AP’s Ongoing Reports on Israel-Hamas Conflict
• Israeli Defense Forces Official Statement
• Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry Statistics
• United Nations Reports on Middle East Tensions
• Ichilov Hospital, Tel Aviv
• Information on Kibbutz Nir Oz
• Background on Israel’s Electric Border Fence
• Peace Activism in Israel and Palestine
• Overview of Israel-Hamas Relations
• Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza