On Saturday, four female soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) returned to Israel after enduring a grueling 477-day ordeal in captivity under Hamas.
Stationed as observers by the Israeli-Gaza border, they bravely shared their harrowing experiences with the media, shedding light on the challenges they faced.
Experiences in Captivity
The soldiers described moments of profound starvation, particularly when Israeli military operations occurred in the vicinity.
These frightening times forced them to rely on one another for emotional support and encouragement.
When they emerged from the vehicles at the release event, their strength was unmistakable.
Elaborate preparations by Hamas indicated an intent to project an image of control, but the soldiers understood the underlying motive was humiliation.
Determined to assert their resilience, they maintained a strong and composed demeanor during the ceremony.
They aimed to assure their families and friends that they remained unyielding despite their circumstances.
Their calmness was a testament to their fortitude; they believed their inner strength surpassed that of their captors.
Harsh Realities Behind Closed Doors
However, the public show of unity and determination starkly contrasted with their harsh realities behind closed doors.
The soldiers recounted strict rules during their captivity that forbade them from holding hands or expressing emotions like crying.
Their living conditions were grim, marked by insufficient food and unsanitary environments, with extended periods during which they could not even bathe.
Though they initially shared a space, their experience of captivity was far from uniform.
At times, they found themselves isolated in civilian apartments, while other moments were spent hidden away in underground tunnels.
In an emotional twist, they learned, just before their release, that their fellow captive, Agam Berger, would not be joining them.
One soldier even volunteered to stay back with Berger, only to have her offer denied by their captors.
In those early weeks of captivity, they lived in civilian homes in Gaza, where they were forced to cook and clean for their captors, often lacking adequate food themselves.
To avoid detection during their movements, the captives were masked as Palestinian women.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Throughout their time in captivity, they encountered senior Hamas members who used psychological tactics to foster fear.
Disturbing news about other hostages was a common tactic, as were threats regarding the consequences of any escape attempts.
In spite of these tactics, the soldiers found occasional solace in snippets of information about their families’ efforts towards their release.
They would catch updates from radio broadcasts or news reports on Al Jazeera.
Upon their transfer to a military helicopter for medical treatment, they even playfully attempted to use a few Arabic phrases they had picked up, creating a moment of lightness amidst the darkness.
A medical professional who assisted them noted their remarkable resilience when they were finally released.
Their inner strength shone through, defying expectations and not easily attributed to external factors, such as medication—though earlier reports suggested that hostage-takers had used drugs to manipulate captives’ emotions.
While previous hostage releases had included claims of soldiers being drugged to present false appearances of happiness, such allegations have not surfaced regarding this recent group.
Instead, these soldiers’ stories present a narrative of bravery and fortitude in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Source: Christianpost