Former Hamas hostage details horrors of captivity, credits kidnapped IDF soldier with saving her life
Former Hamas hostage Amit Soussana recently shared more details about her harrowing experience in captivity, revealing that another hostage played a crucial role in her survival. Liri Albag, an IDF soldier who was kidnapped on Oct. 7, was instrumental in saving Soussana’s life.
In a recent interview on Israeli TV, Soussana recounted the brutal treatment she endured at the hands of her captors. She described being tied up, beaten, and threatened with a gun as her captors demanded that she admit to being in the IDF. Despite the harrowing ordeal, Albag was able to convince their captors that Soussana was not a military personnel, ultimately saving her life.
Describing Albag as “something special, a force,” Soussana expressed her gratitude to her fellow hostage for her heroic actions. Soussana credits Albag with saving her life, stating, “I don’t know if they would have killed me or not; as far as I’m concerned, you saved my life.”
Soussana was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the brutal Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas terrorists. Forced to walk barefoot in pajamas to the Gaza border, she fought her captors in a desperate attempt to stall them until the IDF could rescue her. After 55 days in captivity, Soussana was finally released in a hostage deal with Hamas.
In March 2024, Soussana became the first Israeli woman to publicly speak about being sexually assaulted while in Hamas captivity. She bravely shared her horrifying experience in an interview with The New York Times and later testified before the UN Security Council in October 2024.
During her captivity, Soussana was chained by her ankle and subjected to sexual assault by one of her guards. She described the terrifying experience of being forced into a shower at gunpoint and enduring intrusive questioning and touching by her assailant. Despite the trauma, Soussana was forced to act friendly towards her attacker, highlighting the isolation and helplessness she experienced.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a deadly war that has lasted for over 15 months. As part of a current ceasefire deal, Hamas is expected to release additional hostages, including Agam Berger, Arbel Yehoud, and 80-year-old Gadi Moses, on Jan. 30.
The courage and resilience displayed by Amit Soussana in sharing her story serve as a powerful reminder of the horrors faced by hostages in conflict zones. Her bravery in speaking out against her captors and advocating for justice highlights the importance of addressing the widespread human rights violations that occur during times of war.
