Naama Levy, one of the four female IDF soldiers released from Hamas captivity, related to her experience in Gaza for the first time on Instagram.
By Rachel Avraham
Naama Levy, who was recently released after suffering 477 days in Hamas captivity, recently posted on Instagram: “I am finally home. I am safe and protected. I am surrounded by my family and friends, and I feel better every day.”
According to Arutz Sheva, Levy shared her experiences from captivity and noted that “for the first fifty days after October 7th, I was alone for most of the time. After that, I spent time with my friends, who gave me strength and encouraged me. We strengthened each other until the day we were released and even afterwards.”
Levy expressed hope for the return of the other hostages, and in particular mentioned Agam Berger: “We are waiting for Agami and the rest of the hostages so that we can complete our rehabilitation process.”
At the end of her post, Levy thanked the IDF soldiers and the people of Israel for fighting for her release. “It’s important for me to thank the IDF soldiers and the entire people of Israel – even while I was in captivity, I saw how you fought for me. Thank you all, I love you.”
Levy was released last week along with fellow IDF observers Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, and Liri Albag as part of a hostage-ceasefire deal signed between Israel and Hamas, the Jerusalem Post reported. Following their release, new details have emerged about their time in captivity.
Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Avi Banov, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, described their ordeal in an interview with Reuters. “Some of them told us that they’ve been in the past few months, that they’ve been through the entire time, in tunnels, underground,” Banov said. “Some of them were alone through the entire time they were there. Those who said they were together were in better shape.” According to him, treatment for the captives improved in the days leading up to their release, when they were allowed to shower, change clothes, and were given better food.
According to Israel Hayom, Banov noted that some of the captives had not received proper medical treatment for injuries sustained since the kidnapping on October 7, and some showed signs of malnutrition. Citing privacy concerns, Banov declined to comment on whether any of the seven female hostages released so far – three civilians and four soldiers – bore signs of torture or abuse from their time in Hamas captivity.
Nevertheless, despite the great suffering that they endured, the four female soldiers showed great bravery. Amit Soussana, a 40-year-old Israeli woman who spent 55 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza, yet was released last year, told reporters Liri Albag saved her life. According to Yeshiva World News, on October 7th, Soussana had hid inside of her closet in her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, but was abducted by Hamas and dragged all the way to Gaza: “The abduction was very violent. I kept resisting until they eventually tied me up by my arms and legs and dragged me on the floor. It took them over an hour to take me to the border. I was beaten up really badly. My entire face and body were bruised and swollen.”
Once in Gaza, she was alone for two weeks and was sexually assaulted by her Hamas guard, before being moved around, which resulted in her spending time in the Gazan tunnels and with other hostages. It was during this period that Albag had the opportunity to save Soussana’s life: “The terrorist told me: ‘You have 40 minutes to tell the truth. If not, I’ll kill you. And Liri had power over him because she is strong. I felt very weak next to him.” In this way, she was able to save Soussana’s life.
Another incident that demonstrates the courage of the female soldiers occurred just before their release, Israel Hayom reported. While in Israel no one knew which of them would be released the following Saturday, according to the report, Hamas chose four of the girls, and it became clear to them that Agam Berger would remain in Gaza until the next release. One of the released female soldiers held her friend’s hand, stood in front of the terrorists, and declared that she would stay with Agam, Israel Hayom noted.
According to the report, only when forced by the terrorists to leave according to their planned arrangement did she reluctantly leave her friend behind, waiting for the next release wave, with the hope that Agam would be reunited with her family and also reunited with her comrades in Israel for a journey of healing from the horrors of Gaza.
