Israeli lady bravely describes horror as Hamas hostage: ‘They had been taking pleasure in hurting me’

Warning: This article consists of graphic and disturbing accounts from the Oct. 7 bloodbath in Israel.

“My life, as soon as easy and quiet, was shattered after I was taken hostage by this ruthless terror group.”

Amit Soussana, who turned the primary Israeli lady to talk publicly in regards to the sexual violence she endured throughout her 55 days in captivity in Gaza after Hamas terrorists kidnapped her on Oct. 7, spoke earlier than the United Nations (U.N.) on Wednesday at an occasion to mark the fifteenth anniversary of the institution of the mandate on sexual violence in conflicts.

Soussana described her life earlier than the Hamas assault, explaining, “I labored as an legal professional in an workplace that I actually liked, rented a small home within the kibbutz, and my largest concern, like most individuals, was deciding what to have for dinner.” She emphasised her dedication to privateness, saying, “I stayed away from social media and was a really personal particular person. My privateness was and nonetheless is essential to me.”

Soussana was kidnapped from her residence in Kibbutz Kfar Aza by a bunch of not less than 10 males and forcibly taken to Gaza, the place she was subjected to horrifying experiences. She was launched in late November 2023 as a part of the primary and solely hostage cope with Hamas.

HAMAS TERRORISTS ‘SYSTEMATICALLY AND INTENTIONALLY’ COMMITTED SEXUAL VIOLENCE DURING OCT. 7 ATTACK: REPORT

She recounted the day of her abduction, vividly remembering the peaceable Saturday morning that was a Jewish vacation, “Simchat Torah,” precisely a 12 months earlier than immediately – which is once more the identical vacation in Israel on Thursday. 

“The tranquility was shattered by the sound of 1000’s of missiles launching from Gaza, adopted by the terrifying method of gunfire,” she recalled. Soussana barricaded herself in her protected room, her physique trembling from concern, till a hand grenade exploded in her front room. “My residence was invaded by closely armed males in civilian clothes,” she stated, detailing her shock and vulnerability.

In a state of misery, she described her abduction. “I used to be in my pajamas, barefoot, and determined to take the blanket from my mattress to cowl myself.” She was dragged from her burning home to the Gaza border, overwhelmed severely alongside the best way. 

Amit Soussana was launched after 55 days of untold abuse throughout her captivity by the hands of Hamas terrorists. (Getty Images)

“It felt as if they had been taking pleasure in hurting me,” she stated. Despite the grave hazard, she resisted, stating, “I feared for my physique and soul greater than I feared for my life. So I fought again.” As a outcome, she suffered important accidents, together with a damaged eye socket and a knee harm that also impacts her.

During her captivity, Soussana was chained by her ankle, unable to maneuver. “I needed to ask for permission to make use of the toilet,” she defined, detailing her expertise. “In that home, I used to be sexually assaulted by the Hamas terrorist who had guarded me.” She described the assault, saying, “He compelled me to go to the bathe and entered the room, pointed his gun at me. He was respiratory closely and had a monstrous beast-like face.” She recalled his intrusive questioning whereas he sat subsequent to her in his underwear, lifting her shirt and touching her. “I knew precisely what he was planning on doing, and but I could not do something to stop it. I used to be totally helpless.”

UN FINALLY RECOGNIZES THAT ISRAELI WOMEN WERE RAPED, SEXUALLY ATTACKED BY HAMAS TERRORISTS

Demonstrators in assist of Israel collect to denounce antisemitism and name for the discharge of Israeli hostages on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14, 2023. (STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP by way of Getty Images)

After the assault, she famous, “I wasn’t even allowed to cry or to be unhappy. I had nobody to consolation me and was compelled to behave good to the one who had simply sexually assaulted me.” She continued, “Not a day goes by that I do not take into consideration what that horrible man did to me, however I hold reminding myself that I’m free now and that he cannot damage me once more.”

A number of days later, she was transferred to a brand new location with completely different guards. “Even although I used to be terrified, I felt lucky that not less than I wasn’t with the person who sexually violated me,” she stated. However, she confronted additional torment. “I used to be tortured, hung the wrong way up, overwhelmed, humiliated and feared for my life,” she recalled. Eventually, she was taken into an underground tunnel, the place she felt as if she was “buried alive” and subjected to inhumane circumstances.

After enduring an agonizing 55 days, she was lastly freed however expressed that her sense of freedom was overshadowed by the plight of these nonetheless captive. “I don’t be happy whereas others stay in captivity, enduring the identical nightmare,” she said, highlighting the promise she and different hostages made to struggle for one another’s launch. “Today, I honor this promise by telling my story,” she added.

CHILDREN ONCE HELD HOSTAGE STILL WORKING THROUGH TRAUMA: ‘ARE THEY COMING FOR US AGAIN?’

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon speaks to moms who misplaced their kids within the Oct. 7 terror assault on the “Eternal Embrace” picture exhibition at United Nations headquarters in New York City on Oct. 7, 2024. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP by way of Getty Images)

Soussana concluded her speech with a heartfelt plea to the U.N. “I urge you to meet your obligation, take instant motion to safe the discharge of these nonetheless held captive,” she stated. “Every day that passes steals one other piece of their soul and endangers their life.” She known as upon the U.N. to not flip a blind eye to the atrocities dedicated in opposition to harmless civilians. “It is your accountability to guard human rights, to fight terrorism, and to deliver these answerable for these heinous crimes to justice,” she urged.

As she completed, she reiterated her name to motion. “The world is watching, ready for the U.N. Security Council to reside as much as its mandate. I urge you, don’t fail us. Secure the liberty of the hostages and make sure that nobody else suffers the identical destiny. Remember, it’s our collective obligation to fight terrorism and shield human rights. The time to behave is now.”

Palestinians take management of an Israeli Merkava battle tank after crossing the border fence with Israel from Khan Yunis within the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP by way of Getty Images)

At the occasion, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon stated, “We won’t cease till all 101 of our hostages are launched by Hamas.” 

Danon thanked Soussana for her braveness. “Thank you for sharing your story with the world and revealing once more the true face of the terrorist group Hamas. It is vital to do not forget that the lengthy hand of the IDF will attain everybody who belongs to the terrorist group Hamas and remove him.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In March, 5 months after the bloodbath, the U.N. revealed a report acknowledging that rape and gang rape, amongst different acts of sexual violence, doubtless occurred throughout the Oct. 7 Hamas assault and stated there was “clear and convincing” proof that hostages had been raped whereas being held in Gaza, and that these at the moment held captive are nonetheless dealing with such abuse. Soussana was one of many witnesses within the report. 

Among the 101 hostages nonetheless held in Gaza are girls and youngsters.