Ilana Gritzewsky, a young Israeli woman who made Aliyah from Mexico at age 16, recounted being sexually assaulted in Hamas captivity to the UN Security Council.
By Rachel Avraham
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Dannon introduced to the UN Security Council on Wednesday Ilana Gritzewsky, a young Israeli woman who was abducted by Hamas along with her partner Matan Zangauker. She was in Hamas captivity for 55 days and was sexually assaulted, beaten, starved and exposed to other appalling conditions while in Hamas captivity. Her partner Matan is still in Hamas captivity.
According to Yedioth Achronot, Ilana recounted being dragged from her home by terrorists, beaten, partially stripped, sexually assaulted and told she would never be released. “They dragged me across the floor, lifted me and threw me against the wall. They pointed their guns at me, and tried to film me with my phone. I raised my hands, told them I was Mexican. Begging them not to hurt me, not to rape me, not to shoot me, just let me go,” she said. When she awoke, she was surrounded by gunmen, with a broken jaw, fractured pelvis, burns and other injuries. One terrorist told her she was “beautiful,” promising she would never go free and would instead marry him and bear his children. According to Haaretz, Gritzewsky described waking in a ruined house “laying half-naked on rocks, surrounded by Hamas terrorists.”
Yedioth Achronot reported that she described being locked in small rooms and shuttled between homes, tunnels and filthy apartments, often with little food or water. “We spent over 40 days there with barely any food, almost no water, constant psychological terror, no basic human or monetary needs such as medicine, showers, hygienic products,” she said, adding she lost 12 kilograms (25 pounds).
According to Haaretz, Gritzewsky added, “For 55 days, I slept on the floor, hungry, sick, and without medicine. The terrorists ate meat, rice, and vegetables, and we received ten grains of hummus or a piece of dry pita. While the world talks about hunger in Gaza, we, the kidnapped, are the ones who were starved and are still starving on purpose. The terrorists dictated everything: when we could talk, when we could go to the bathroom, when we could get up.”
Various media outlets reported that she detailed being transferred to Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, where hostages were locked in a guarded room. Addressing the council, Gritzewsky said, “People see my face and think I’m ‘free.’ But freedom is not a switch you can turn on and off. Trauma doesn’t vanish once you’re released. Every siren, every rocket, every news of fighting in Gaza drags me back into that hell. I relive the beatings, the abuse, the constant fear. Matan doesn’t have a safe room. He’s still there, still trapped, still suffering.”
Appealing to the council, she said, “We need to make a deal. Israeli citizens want this war to end. I’m here … for the 50 hostages still in Gaza, for their families,” she said. Addressing her partner, Matan Zangauker, who is still held in Gaza, she said, “Matan, stay strong. Don’t lose hope. Your mom, sister, our dog, Nuni and I, we are waiting”
According to Arutz Sheva, she said: “In the tunnel, I discovered that Matan was a short distance from me the whole time, but they didn’t let me see him. I refused to be released because I wanted to stay by his side. I left Gaza with a hole in my heart and a promise: to do everything to bring him and the other hostages home.”
Arutz Sheva reported that Ambassador Danon stated in response: “Ilana’s testimony is chilling and presents a clear picture to the Security Council: Hamas is abusing the hostages, starving them, and using international aid to feed the terrorists. The international community can no longer look away. Hamas must be defeated and the hostages must be released.”
Photo from NationalDefence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VosuYTjtIbo
