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Edited by: TJVNews.com
Amit Soussana, a 40-year-old Israeli, has bravely stepped forward as the first to publicly recount her traumatic ordeal of brutal sexual assault during captivity following the Hamas-led October 7th massacre in southern Israel. In a series of interviews with The New York Times, primarily conducted in English, Soussana provided chilling details of the 55-day nightmare she endured.
Her personal account, corroborated by reports from two doctors and a social worker within 24 hours of her liberation on November 30, sheds light on the horrifying realities faced by Israeli hostages held by the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists, the NYT report indicated. While the specifics of the sexual violence are withheld out of respect for Soussana’s privacy, her testimony underscores the egregious nature of the abuse she suffered.
According to accounts provided by Soussana herself during extensive interviews with The New York Times in mid-March, her abduction unfolded in a terrifying manner. She was forcibly taken from her home by at least 10 armed Hamas terrorists and dragged into Gaza, where she endured unimaginable horrors at the hands of her captors.
Throughout her captivity, Soussana was subjected to dehumanizing treatment, including isolation and physical violence. According to the NYT report, she described being held alone in a child’s bedroom, chained by her left ankle, with her guard frequently intruding into her personal space. The guard, who identified himself as Muhammad, would enter the room, lift her shirt, and touch her, creating an atmosphere of constant fear and vulnerability.
As days turned into weeks, Soussana’s ordeal took a darker turn. On one fateful morning around October 24, Muhammad launched a violent attack against her. The NYT report revealed that after unlocking her chain and leaving her momentarily unguarded in the bathroom, he returned with a pistol in hand, threatening Soussana with lethal force.
In a chilling recounting of the events, Soussana recalled Muhammad’s menacing presence as he brandished the firearm and subjected her to physical assault. As per the information contained in the NYT report, despite her desperate attempts to resist, she found herself at the mercy of her captor, forced to endure unspeakable acts of violence and degradation.
During her captivity, Soussana was shuttled between roughly half a dozen locations, ranging from private homes to subterranean tunnels. The NYT report said that in one particularly brutal episode, she recounted being suspended between two couches by her captors, who subjected her to relentless beatings.
For months, the Hamas terrorists and their sympathizers vehemently denied allegations of sexual abuse against hostages, dismissing them as propaganda, as was noted in the NYT report. However, a recent United Nations report has refuted these claims, citing “clear and convincing information” of sexual violence inflicted upon hostages. This acknowledgment underscores the severity of the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.
Despite the immense trauma she endured, Soussana initially remained reticent about her experiences in the Gaza Strip, wary of reliving the horrors she faced. The NYT report also said that even as she was filmed by her captors moments before her release, she feigned compliance, fearing that speaking out could endanger her chance of freedom.
In the wake of her release, Soussana wasted no time in sharing her ordeal, seeking medical assistance and support to cope with the trauma inflicted upon her. Hours after regaining her freedom, she spoke candidly with Dr. Julia Barda, a senior Israeli gynecologist, and social worker Valeria Tsekhovsky, recounting the horrors she endured, as reported by The Times.
Dr. Barda remarked on Soussana’s remarkable ability to articulate her experience with clarity and detail, not only concerning the sexual assault but also the multitude of other challenges she faced during her 55-day captivity, the NYT report revealed.
The following day, Soussana bravely shared her account with a doctor from Israel’s National Center of Forensic Medicine, adding another layer of corroboration to her narrative. According to the NYT report, Professor Siegal Sadetzki, a respected figure at Tel Aviv University’s medical school, affirmed the consistency of Soussana’s testimony, highlighting the authenticity of her claims.
Soussana’s decision to speak out serves as a beacon of hope for other survivors and underscores the urgent need for accountability and justice in addressing the plight of the remaining Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity. As her story continues to reverberate, it serves as a courageous act of defiance against the perpetrators of violence and a testament to her resilience in the face of unspeakable adversity.
As Soussana continues on her path to healing, her bravery in speaking out serves as a beacon of hope for countless others who have suffered similar fates. It is a stark reminder of the indomitable human spirit and the power of resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship.
