Freed Israeli Hostage Fears for the Resilience of Those Still Held in Gaza

By Leonardo Benassatto and Michal Yaakov Itzhaki

KFAR AZA, Israel – An Israeli woman who endured 55 days in captivity at the hands of Hamas expressed her fears on Monday for the more than 100 hostages still held following their abduction on October 7.

Amit Soussana, who was taken during the attack on her home kibbutz of Kfar Aza, spoke out as she campaigned alongside family members of other hostages, emphasizing the urgent need for continued attention on their situation. “I was under emotional and physical terror the entire 55 days. Every moment felt like eternity,” said the 40-year-old, who wore a sweatshirt advocating for the return of hostages.

Reflecting on the ongoing suffering of those still in captivity, Soussana said, “I hope that the remaining hostages can keep their faith alive and stay strong, but even the toughest souls cannot endure such prolonged agony.”

The violence initiated by Hamas on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in Israel, along with the abduction of 253. In retaliation, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza, leading to over 26,600 Palestinian casualties, widespread displacement, and a humanitarian crisis marked by hunger and disease.

During a temporary truce in November, nearly half of the hostages were released by Hamas. In exchange, Israel freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and diplomatic efforts are ongoing to arrange another ceasefire to facilitate the release of more hostages.

Soussana’s statement in Kfar Aza was part of an ongoing campaign by families advocating for the remaining captives. CCTV footage of her abduction, which was made public after her release, depicts her struggle against her captors as they forcibly dragged her toward Gaza.

“I fought back until they eventually restrained me and dragged me along the ground. It took them over an hour to reach the border, and I suffered severe beatings, leaving me bruised and swollen,” she recounted.

During her time in Gaza, Soussana reported being moved constantly between locations, always guarded by heavily armed Hamas personnel. She described receiving little sustenance, being monitored even while using the restroom, and experiencing both physical and psychological abuse.

One particularly harrowing experience involved being kept in a dark, damp tunnel 40 meters underground. “It felt like being buried alive,” she said, emphasizing the constant fragility of her situation. “In Hamas captivity, everything is precarious. You’re perpetually on edge, and you’re prohibited from speaking, crying, or even offering comfort when morale is at its lowest.”