Amit Soussana, an Israeli woman, recently spoke publicly about the sexual assault and violence she endured during her 55 days in captivity following a Hamas-led attack on Israel. She was abducted from her home by at least 10 men and subjected to a series of horrifying events that included beatings and being forced to perform sexual acts under threat of a gun. Soussana, a lawyer, was eventually released in late November as part of a hostage exchange in Gaza.
During her captivity, Soussana was held in various locations in Gaza and experienced both physical and psychological torment at the hands of her captors. She described being held alone in a child’s bedroom, chained by her ankle, and forced to engage in sexual acts with one of her guards. She also detailed an incident where the guard attacked her with a gun in a bathroom. This testimony sheds light on the ordeal that hostages held by Hamas have endured.
The Hostages Families Forum praised Soussana for her courage in speaking out about her captivity and referred to her as a hero, along with other hostages still being held. They emphasized the importance of bringing these brave men and women home before it is too late. The forum highlighted the harrowing experiences that hostages face daily while in captivity.
Dr. Ayelet Levy Shachar, whose daughter was also captured by Hamas, echoed the sentiments of the Hostages Families Forum, emphasizing the physical, sexual, and psychological torture that hostages endure. She called for the immediate release of all hostages, stating that each day in captivity feels like an eternity. The testimonies of survivors like Soussana underscore the urgent need to bring hostages home safely.
The United Nations recently published a report indicating that acts of sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, likely occurred during the Hamas attack in October. The report provided evidence of ongoing abuse of hostages, including rape, in Gaza. Hamas official Basem Naim denied these allegations in an interview with CNN. Israeli President Isaac Herzog commended Soussana for speaking out against the heinous crimes committed by Hamas and reiterated the importance of advocating for the victims of sexual violence. Soussana’s bravery in sharing her story serves as a voice for all victims who have suffered at the hands of their captors.
