Survivor shares harrowing experience of captivity

A former hostage has come forward to share her traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted after being abducted to Gaza by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023.

In an interview with The New York Times, Ilana Gritzewsky described her first memory from captivity, recalling that she woke up half-naked, surrounded by seven gunmen.

Gritzewsky recounted how she and her boyfriend, Matan Zangauker—who remains in Hamas’ custody—tried to escape after militants attacked their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. After leaping out of their safe room window and fleeing in different directions, she was captured and placed between two gunmen on a motorcycle, her face covered.

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Physical assault and unconsciousness

During the ride, one of the militants groped her, touching her breast under her shirt and her leg. She suffered burns on her leg from the exhaust pipe and lost consciousness before being taken across the border into Gaza.

When she woke up, she found herself on the floor, her clothes in disarray with her shirt pulled up and pants pulled down. Unsure of what had happened while she was unconscious, she attempted to protect herself by telling her captors that she was menstruating, believing this might deter further harm.

“They hit me and lifted me up. I felt they were disappointed. I don’t think I have ever been so thankful for my period,” she said.

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One of her captors then hugged her and, while pointing a pistol at her, told her she would not be released even if a deal was reached because he wanted to marry her and have children with her.

Ongoing trauma and call for action

Gritzewsky later learned that her captors had stolen her jewelry and that she had suffered a broken hip. Though she was eventually released, she never saw Zangauker during her time in captivity.

“I’m not really available for my own rehabilitation, not for the body and not least for the soul,” she said.

She continues to struggle with survivor’s guilt, questioning why she was freed while others remain. However, she sees her release as a sign that she must raise her voice to advocate for those still in captivity and to ensure the proper burial of those who have been killed.

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