TEL AVIV: Yocheved Lifshitz, an 85-year-old Israeli woman, spoke about her experience after being released by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Lifshitz, a resident of Nir Oz kibbutz near the Gaza Strip, was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 on Israeli in response to Israeli brutalities in the Palestinian territories.
Lifshitz mentioned that her captors treated her and four other captives well during their time in captivity. She revealed that a doctor visited them every two to three days and provided necessary medicines.
When asked why she reached out to shake the hand of a militant the moment she was freed, Lifshitz said, “They treated us gently and provided all our needs. They seemed ready for this; they prepared for a long time; they had everything that men and women needed, including shampoo.”
Lifshitz and another resident from Nir Oz, Nurit Cooper, 79, were released three days after an American woman and her daughter were freed by Hamas.
The Israeli army took a new approach, distributing leaflets over the Gaza Strip urging residents to provide information about the hostages held by Hamas in exchange for financial rewards.
