Former Israeli hostage, Nili Margalit, has revealed the shocking details of her abduction and subsequent captivity in Gaza. In an interview with French magazine Le Point, Margalit disclosed that she was kidnapped by Palestinian civilians who then sold her to Hamas terrorists.
The harrowing incident took place on October 7th when armed civilians stormed Margalit’s home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during a deadly rampage. Describing the terrifying ordeal, she recounted how the attackers brandished Kalashnikovs and ransacked her home, even setting it on fire. Margalit was hiding in her unlocked saferoom when they discovered her and forcefully dragged her out.
Margalit’s captors then placed her on a golf cart, covered her with a white sheet, and transported her to the border with Gaza. It was there that she claims to have been sold to Hamas. From Gaza’s border, she was taken to the city of Khan Yunis, where she heard cheers from crowds of people. It was clear that she had become a hostage in a dangerous situation.
Once inside Gaza, Margalit was taken to a reception room within Hamas’ underground tunnel network. She was shocked to find around 30 other hostages, including people from her own kibbutz. Among them were elderly individuals and children who had also fallen victim to this horrific ordeal.
Life in captivity was excruciating for Margalit and her fellow hostages. They were given meager rations of rice and bread as their only sustenance. To maintain their sanity, Margalit turned to yoga and sought solace in conversations with other hostages. Despite the challenging circumstances, she emphasized the solidarity and support they provided each other.
Initially, Margalit believed that her captivity would be short-lived, lasting only two days. However, as time passed, she realized that Israel would not negotiate for the release of so many hostages. This realization brought about a sense of hopelessness, but Margalit and her fellow captives persevered, holding on to their psychological strength.
Margalit’s ordeal finally came to an end after eight weeks when she was freed as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, the trauma of her experience still lingers, prompting her to embark on a European tour to raise awareness about the 133 Israelis who remain held captive in Gaza even six months later.
The shocking details of Nili Margalit’s story shed light on the horrifying reality faced by hostages in conflict zones. Her account highlights the brutal tactics employed by civilians turned criminals and the immense challenges faced by those held captive. Margalit’s resilience and determination to bring attention to the plight of other hostages serve as a reminder that these individuals deserve our support and action to secure their freedom and safety.
