Former Hamas hostage Amit Soussana has opened up about her harrowing experience in captivity, shedding light on the ordeal she endured during her time as a prisoner. Soussana revealed that fellow hostage Liri Albag played a crucial role in her survival by convincing their captors that she was not a member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), ultimately saving her life.
Recalling the traumatic events, Soussana described being tied up, beaten, and threatened by her captors who demanded that she confess to being in the IDF. She recounted the terrifying moment when a gun was pointed at her, giving her a deadline to reveal the truth.
Despite the brutality she faced, Soussana expressed gratitude towards Albag, whom she referred to as 'something special, a force,' for intervening and preventing a potential tragedy. 'I don’t know if they would have killed me or not; as far as I’m concerned, you saved my life,' Soussana acknowledged.
During her captivity, Soussana endured unimaginable hardships, including being forced to walk barefoot in pajamas from her burning home to the Gaza border, where she was subjected to physical abuse. She fought fiercely against her captors in a desperate bid for rescue by the IDF, a battle she described as 'the battle of my life.'
After 55 days in captivity, Soussana was released from Gaza in November 2023 as part of a historic hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. In March 2024, she became the first Israeli woman to publicly disclose being sexually assaulted while in Hamas captivity, shedding light on the horrific incident in an interview with The New York Times.
Testifying before the UN Security Council in October 2024, Soussana recounted the traumatic experience of being chained by her ankle, sexually assaulted, and subjected to dehumanizing treatment by her captors. She described the assailant as having a 'monstrous beast-like face' and detailed the distressing encounter that left her feeling utterly helpless.
Despite the trauma she endured, Soussana bravely shared her story to raise awareness about the atrocities committed during her captivity. Her courage in speaking out has brought attention to the plight of hostages and the urgent need for justice and accountability in conflict zones.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a deadly war that has spanned over 15 months, marked by devastating attacks and ceasefires. As the region navigates fragile peace agreements, the release of hostages like Agam Berger, Arbel Yehoud, and Gadi Moses signifies a glimmer of hope for reconciliation and healing in the midst of ongoing tensions.
