Families of the released captives from Hamas, Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper, spoke to the media on Tuesday, hours after the two women were released by Hamas. The two, both in their eighties, were taken by the Islamic terrorists to Gaza on Oct. 7, when thousands of Hamas operatives invaded their kibbutz – along with many other communities and bases along the Gaza border in the worst attack on Israeli civilians ever. Some 1400 Israeli residents were murdered in the attack, including many women and children. Thousands were injured, and more than 200 were abducted.
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Lifshitz, who was hospitalized overnight for observation, said: "It was tough, and we hope to get through this period. I want to thank you for coming to hear me and my friend. I went through a horrific ordeal I had never imagined I would have to endure. The terrorists rampaged through the kibbutz, and they put me lying down on a motorcycle and drove me to Gaza. They blew up the fence, which cost billions, and it didn't help at all. Some of the kibbutz residents were killed, and some were abducted, just like me. They didn't differentiate between the elderly and children; they targeted everyone." She added that they had to walk for miles upon miles in the "cobweb of tunnels."
Video: Yocheved Lifshitz speaks with the media following her release / Moshe Ben Simchon
She added that upon arriving in Gaza, "they separated us into groups; we ate what they ate: pita bread with soft white cheese and cucumber. One meal for an entire day."
Ronni Gamzu, the director of Ichilov Hospital were they were staying, said, "We are ensuring that Nurit and Yocheved's conditions are stable. In the coming days, one of them may be released from the hospital, and the other will stay for further examinations. What's important for us right now is to help them through the initial days in a comfortable and supportive manner. They are adults, so we need to examine them thoroughly."
Seated in a wheelchair, Lifshitz told reporters that a doctor attended to her after she was seized by Hamas. She said she was held in a network of tunnels within Gaza and that all her needs had been taken care of.
Lifshitz and Cooper arrived in Israel after crossing through the Egyptian border at Rafah. Shortly after 1:00 a.m., the helicopter carrying them landed at Ichilov Hospital. Israel believes Hamas has at least 215 captives.
Daniel Lifshitz, Yocheved's granddaughter, excitedly said, "I can't believe that Grandma Yocheved, who is like a mother to me, has returned to us from Hamas captivity. I love this incredible woman so much. She's a great hero."
Etty Oziel, the deputy director of nursing and the head nurse at the Ichilov Hospital provided an update on their condition, saying, "We are very excited. They seem to be in good shape. Their medical condition is stable. They are talking. At first, we brought them down and reunited them with their families. It was a very emotional meeting. Right now, they can rest with their families, and afterward, we will conduct a comprehensive physical examination. They will stay with us tonight."
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