Released Hamas Hostage Naama Levy Speaks Out “`

Naama Levy, one of four female Israeli soldiers freed from Hamas captivity on Saturday, has issued her first statement since her release.

“After 477 days, I’m finally home,” she said. “I’m safe and protected, surrounded by family and friends, and I am feeling better by the day.”

Levy expressed gratitude to “Israeli combat soldiers and the Israeli people,” acknowledging their efforts to secure her release. “Thank you all. I love you,” she wrote.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists abducted Levy, along with Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, and Agam Berger. All but Berger were released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Levy shared that she spent the first 50 days of her captivity alone. However, after reuniting with the other soldiers, they supported each other daily until and after their release.

“We are waiting for Agam and the remaining hostages to return so we can complete the recovery process,” she stated.

Berger, mentioned in Levy’s post, is expected to be released on Thursday, along with Arbel Yehoud and an unnamed male hostage.

A widely circulated video depicted Levy’s kidnapping, showing her in a bloodied state being forcibly removed from a vehicle. The image became a symbol of the plight of female hostages and victims of Hamas’ attacks.

In a November 2023 essay, Levy’s mother, Ayelet Levy Shachar, emphasized that the widely-seen video of her daughter’s abduction did not reflect her daughter’s life before October 7th.

“When she is released, I pray that the image of her abduction, and the experience of what that image represents, isn’t how she comes to see the world,” Shachar wrote.

Following Levy, Albag, Gilboa, and Ariev’s release, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters stated that their return signified a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing crisis, while highlighting the need to secure the release of the remaining 90 hostages held in Gaza.

Over fifteen months into the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with surprise attacks on October 7, 2023, numerous hostages remain in Gaza.

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