Amit Soussana, an Israeli lawyer, experienced a harrowing abduction from her home on October 7. A group of at least 10 men, some armed, violently took her, beating her before dragging her into Gaza. During her captivity, her guard inquired intrusively about her personal life.
Held in isolation in a child’s room, chained at the ankle, Soussana faced unwelcome advances from her guard, who would sometimes enter the room, lift her shirt, and touch her. This guard also obsessively questioned her about her menstrual cycle. To avoid further assault, Soussana deceived him into believing her period lasted nearly a week.
On October 24, the situation escalated when the guard, known as Muhammad, assaulted her. He unlocked her chain and left her in the bathroom. While she was bathing, Muhammad returned, brandishing a pistol. He physically assaulted her, forced her to remove her towel, and then subjected her to a sexual act.
Soussana, at 40, courageously became the first Israeli to publicly share her story of sexual assault during captivity following a Hamas-led raid. Her detailed account aligns with what she disclosed to two doctors and a social worker immediately after her release on November 30, as confirmed by their reports.
Throughout her 55-day ordeal, Soussana was moved between various locations, including private homes and a subterranean tunnel. At one point, her captors suspended her between two couches and beat her.
Despite Hamas and its supporters denying any sexual abuse of captives, a United Nations report this month presented clear evidence to the contrary, acknowledging the difficulty in investigating such matters.
After her release, Soussana initially spoke vaguely about her treatment, fearing the recounting of her trauma. However, she later decided to share her story to highlight the ongoing plight of over 100 hostages still in Gaza.
Shortly after her release, Soussana detailed the sexual assault to a senior Israeli gynecologist and a social worker. Their medical report briefly summarizes her account, underscoring the consistency of her story.
Hamas has called for an investigation into Soussana’s allegations, though they question the credibility of her detailed account, attributing it to potential manipulation by security officers. They maintain that their religious beliefs prohibit mistreatment of any individual.
The abduction took place as Soussana was alone in her home in Kibbutz Kfar Azza, close to Gaza. Following rocket attack warnings, she hid in her bedroom closet. Soon, armed men broke into her home, setting part of it on fire and dragging her towards Gaza. Security footage captured her resistance as she was forcibly taken.
Her captors attempted various means to restrain her, ultimately chaining her and dragging her into Gaza, where she sustained severe injuries. Once in Gaza, she was transferred between vehicles and eventually taken to a private home, marking the beginning of her captivity.
Throughout her captivity, Soussana attempted to humanize herself to her captors, hoping for mercy. Despite the terror of her situation, she found moments of empathy for the civilians in Gaza, reflecting on the harsh realities they faced.
The ordeal culminated in a complex series of moves, including a stay in the tunnels of Gaza, before Soussana and other hostages were released as part of a cease-fire agreement. Her release was a moment of overwhelming relief, marked by tears as she approached the Israeli border.
Amit Soussana’s story is a testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity, shedding light on the dark realities of captivity and the strength required to endure and eventually speak out.