Gaza City, Gaza Strip – A disturbing video released recently captures the horrifying moment when five female Israeli soldiers, covered in blood and surrounded by the bodies of their slain comrades, were threatened with rape and taken captive to Gaza by Hamas terrorists. The bodycam footage from the Hamas gunmen shows the young women, stationed at the Nahal Oz base outside the Gaza Strip, being handcuffed and pressed against a wall in their pajamas. In the video, the terrorists can be heard expressing their intentions to sexually assault the soldiers, with one gunman remarking, “Here are the girls who can get pregnant,” while another said, “You’re so beautiful.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, responsible for releasing the video, identified the five hostages as Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy. Berger’s father, Shlomi, expressed his disbelief at the situation his 19-year-old daughter faced, mentioning the terror of being threatened by armed men while seeing her fallen friends. The video, captured inside the Nahal Oz base’s bomb shelter, revealed the Palestinian terrorists in control by 9 a.m. on October 7. The gunmen were seen inspecting the injured and bloodied women, referring to them as “dogs” and ordering them to pose for photos.
The women, part of the approximately 100 hostages in Hamas captivity for over seven months, endured a traumatic experience, which was accentuated by the release of the video to the public. The footage, although edited and censored, provided a glimpse into the harrowing ordeal the hostages have been facing. Levy’s mother, Dr. Ayelet Levy Shachar, highlighted her daughter’s advocacy for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, making the video’s content even more distressing.
The video’s release prompted a call to action from families and supporters of the hostages, urging Israeli leadership to resume negotiations for their release. The emotional impact of the footage was evident as parents described their anguish over the situation faced by their daughters. The ongoing captivity of the hostages underscores the urgency for diplomatic efforts to secure their safe return. Despite the heart-wrenching circumstances, the families remain steadfast in their plea for a resolution to the prolonged ordeal experienced by their loved ones.
The international response to the video, including Norway, Ireland, and Spain’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state, added a layer of complexity to the situation. The recognition sparked debates about its implications for the conflict and the perceived consequences of rewarding Hamas for their actions. As the diplomatic landscape evolves, the fate of the hostages remains uncertain, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address the ongoing crisis. Amidst the political discussions and strategic considerations, the human toll of the ordeal faced by the hostages and their families serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency to secure their release and ensure their well-being.