Released Israeli hostage recalls horrific assault in Hamas captivity. Know in detail

A released Israeli hostage has recounted horrible sexual and physical assault committed allegedly by Hamas militants at gunpoint. In a first such personal account published on Tuesday in an interview with the 'New York Times', Amit Soussana said she was taken hostage on October 7 from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. In the video footage released, she can be seen fighting back against her abductors. She said that around October 24 she was attacked by the man guarding her after washing in the bathroom.

"Forced me to commit a sexual act"

Soussana said the guard, who called himself Muhammad, put a gun to her forehead, beat her and dragged her to a child's bedroom. He forced her to commit a sexual act on him.

"Suspended like a chicken"

Soussana said that she was beaten by other guards over the next few weeks during her detainment in roughly half a dozen sites, including the infamous Hamas tunnels. In one instance, a group of captors tied her feet and handcuffed her hands before suspending her 'like a chicken' across the gap between two couches and beating her.


According to the New York Times, Soussana's account was consistent with what she told two doctors and a social worker less than 24 hours after she was freed on November 30 during a week-long truce.

UN team meets victims

Earlier, at least three released hostages spoke publicly, including one in an interview with Reuters, about incidents of sexual abuse against fellow captives.

On March 5 a team of United Nations experts reported that there were "reasonable grounds to believe" sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, occurred at several locations during the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

The team, led by U.N. special envoy for sexual violence in conflict Pramila Patten, visited Israel between January 29 and February 14 to gather, analyse and verify information on sexual violence linked to the October 7 attacks.

Hamad rejects accusations

The UN team also found what it described as clear and convincing information that some of the hostages taken to Gaza were subjected to sexual violence.

Hamas has rejected accusations of sexual violence during and after the October 7 attack.

FAQs:

When was Amit Soussana kidnapped?
Hamas militants raided Israel on October 7, 2024, killed more than 1,200 people and abducted more than 200 citizens, including Amit Soussana.

What has Amit Soussana said?
Amit Soussana claimed that Hamas militants thrashed and forced her to commit a sexual act on him. She also said that she was beaten many times and once she was hung upside down 'like a chicken'.