October 24, 2023
I went through hell.
Yocheved Lifshitz, an Israeli woman taken hostage by Hamas on October 7. Hamas released her and one other woman on Monday, bringing the number of released hostages to four.
Why It Matters: Israeli authorities estimate more than 200 people remain hostages under the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip. One day after being released, Lifshitz (85), who lives near the border of Gaza, explained: “I went through hell, I didn’t think or know I’d get to this situation. They went on a rampage in our kibbutz, kidnapped me, lay me over a motorcycle… and sped off with me through the ploughed fields.” She added that once she arrived to the location where she was held hostage, which is part of the Hamas underground tunnel system, “They treated us gently, and provided all our needs.”
President Joe Biden said he will not consider supporting a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel until all hostages kidnapped by Hamas are released.
Read More:
Freed Israeli ‘went through hell’ in attack, treated well in Gaza (AFP)
‘I went through hell:’ Released Hamas hostage describes being kidnapped and taken into tunnel system (CNN)
Israel’s Attackers Took More Than 200 Hostages. Here’s What We Know About Them. (The New York Times)
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
