I need the world to listen to my screams, says mom of Hamas hostage

The harrowing footage of a terrified, bloodied younger woman being pulled by the hair and bundled into the again of a truck by Hamas terrorists horrified the world.

But for Ayelet Levy-Shachar to see her light, loving 19-year-old daughter Naama Levy paraded in blood-soaked pyjamas by gun-toting fanatics was past her darkest nightmare.

The 50-year-old mother-of-four talks of the ‘insufferable ache’ of watching as her second youngster was taken into war-ravaged Gaza the place she has remained underground for over 70 days.

In her first heart-wrenching newspaper interview, Dr Levy-Shachar tells The Mail on Sunday she desires the world to know her daughter not by that terrible footage, however as a ‘decided’, sporty woman who loves American rock singer Pink, volunteered for pro-Palestinian charities and desires of turning into a diplomat.

And she urged moms world wide to ‘hear my scream’ and ‘take motion’ to get all of these hostages nonetheless held in Gaza again residence.

The harrowing footage of a terrified teenage woman being pulled by the hair and bundled into the again of a truck by Hamas terrorists horrified the world

The mother-of-four talks of the ‘insufferable ache’ of watching as her second youngster was taken into war-ravaged Gaza , the place she has remained underground in a Hamas tunnel for greater than 70 days (pictured: Ayelet Levy Schacher and her daughter Naama Levy)

Sitting in her tranquil house within the leafy commuter metropolis of Ra’anana, 10 miles north of Tel Aviv, Dr Levy-Shachar describes how her quiet suburban life as a household GP descended into hell on October 7.

That day she had been on account of go to Naama in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, 60 miles south close to Gaza, and had left a cool field out by the door the night time earlier than to fill with all Naama’s favorite treats.

‘I used to be simply right here with the opposite youngsters and at 6.30am the siren went off,’ mentioned the medic, who can also be the physician for the Israeli girls’s nationwide soccer staff.

‘I texted Naama asking, ‘What’s occurring? Are you okay?’ She wrote again to me: ‘We’re within the protected room. I’ve by no means heard something like this in my life.”

That was to be the final time they communicated.

As information began to emerge, Dr Levy-Shachar turned anxious for her daughter, nevertheless it was solely when Naama’s 52-year-old father, Yoni Levy, phoned 4 hours later that the complete horror began to emerge.

Sitting on her porch, taking part in a monopoly board recreation with Naama’s siblings, Amit, 21, Michal, 16, and Omri, 11, Mr Levy advised her: ‘Something unhealthy’s occurring. There’s a video of Naama being kidnapped to Gaza – the video is in Gaza.’

Panic struck and her youngsters started looking social media. Naama’s brother Amit shortly discovered the horrifying footage and advised his mom: ‘Mum, do not watch that.’

‘Then my youthful daughter, Michal, watched it,’ mentioned Dr Levy-Shachar. ‘She began crying saying, ‘Why is she alone there?’

‘There are so many particular particulars in that video. Her terrified face, her being dragged by the hair, her bloody sweatpants, pyjamas, her wounds. But what her sister noticed was that she was alone. That was probably the most terrifying half for her.’

Dr Levy-Shachar added: ‘I understood that one thing horrible is going on; simply via her eyes, via my youthful daughter’s eyes.’

Dr Levy-Schacher (pictured holding {a photograph} of her daughter Naama Levy) urged moms world wide to ‘hear my scream’ and ‘take motion’ to get all of these hostages nonetheless held in Gaza again residence

The siblings of Naama Levy communicate throughout a Lights for Liberty occasion demanding the discharge of the remaining 135 hostages held in Gaza on December 13, 2023

But cruelly the ceasefire broke down and Naama remained held captive. She is one in every of 17 younger girls amongst 130 hostages nonetheless being held in Gaza. ‘It’s insufferable,’ Dr Levy-Shachar (pictured) mentioned, including that she had created a ‘welcome residence’ board for her daughter

Israel has responded to the atrocity by pounding Gaza from land, air and sea. A brief-lived truce introduced Hamas to the negotiating desk to safe the discharge of 105 hostages final month.

But cruelly the ceasefire broke down and Naama remained held captive. She is one in every of 17 younger girls amongst 130 hostages nonetheless being held in Gaza.

‘It’s insufferable,’ Dr Levy-Shachar mentioned, including that she had created a ‘welcome residence’ board for her daughter.

Seeing different households reunited with their family members final month was heart-breaking, she mentioned.

Her voice wobbling, she added: ‘It’s like a scream inside me, saying ‘My Naama, I’m ready for you, Naama’.

‘I’m blissful for everybody who acquired out, however she is my daughter. The world has continued, persons are persevering with with their lives and Christmas is coming, however all the things has stopped for us.’

One glimmer of hope got here from launched hostages who confirmed that they had seen Naama nonetheless alive.

‘We know she has some wounds, however she’s up on her toes and she or he’s strolling – so I’m very hopeful,’ the mom mentioned. Reacting to experiences this week of hostages being killed, she added: ‘It makes it much more necessary for the world to know what we’re coping with.

‘Time is working out for these younger ladies,’ she mentioned. ‘When I discuss, I’ve my mushy voice, and my phrases come out slowly, however I need moms world wide to listen to my scream – and to take motion.’

Incredibly, she doesn’t hate the individuals who took Naama.

‘I’ve to hope,’ she says. ‘Maybe one in every of them, they’ve a coronary heart. They can see that beautiful little woman; they are often good to her and preserve her from hurt. I do not wish to be hateful – I simply need her again.’

Dr Levy-Shachar mentioned she imagines her daughter mendacity down in a tunnel in Gaza, and being by her facet.

‘I attempt to stroke her hair, and, in my thoughts, I ease her to sleep. I say, ‘Hang in there, we’re coming to get you’.’