Freed Israeli hostage describes treatment in captivity

Yocheved Lifshitz, an Israeli captive released from Gaza on Monday evening, said she was beaten on 7 October when Palestinian fighters stormed southern Israel, after breaching Israel’s perimeter surrounding the area.

At 85, the former Israeli hostage was one of the oldest held by Hamas fighters in Gaza.

She said that she had been treated well while held captive, but was assaulted when she was kidnapped. She said the fighters beat her with sticks and hurt her ribs, which gave her breathing difficulties. Her watch and jewellery were taken, she said.

Lifshitz told reporters that a doctor had visited her while she was held in the besieged enclave.

She said that she was eating white cheese and cucumber while in captivity, the same food that her captors were eating. 

She also said that her captors "took care of every detail", including women who knew about "feminine hygiene".

"They laid me on a motorcycle, blew up the electronic fence that cost two million dollars to build, but didn't help with anything. I was taken hostage, there was no distinction between old and young. It was very painful," she added.

Lifshitz also explained that there was a guard for each of the five people being held hostage in her group, and captives slept on mattresses. 

According to Lifshitz, when she arrived in Gaza on the back of the motorbike, she was told by the people who greeted her that they "believe in the Quran" and therefore would not hurt her.