"So glad they are free"'I understood their smiles implicitly'

Released hostages begin healing process

The video of a bleeding Levy being pulled by her hair, wrists tied behind her back and her pants bloodied, was one of the most horrific images from the October 7 attacks.

Naama Levy reunited with her parents. Photo: IDF
Naama Levy reunited with her parents. Photo: IDF

Academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert said she was quite affected while watching Naama Levy, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag and Karina Ariev paraded onstage in front of Hamas fighters and their supporters, telling The AJN that she “understood their smiles implicitly”.

Moore-Gilbert herself spent over two years wrongfully incarcerated in an Iranian prison and hopes every remaining Israeli hostage gets to experience their own moment of freedom.

“Maybe this was the first time they had felt the sun on their face, or seen the sky, in months. Maybe it was the exhilaration of a long hoped-for release,” said Moore-Gilbert. “Maybe they wanted to defy their captors by showing them that they stood tall and unbroken. I remember feeling the same during my own day of freedom. I am so glad they are free.”

The video of a bleeding Levy being pulled by her hair, wrists tied behind her back and her pants bloodied, was one of the most horrific images from the October 7 attacks.

Levy’s Sydney-based cousin Zack Shachar, who has tirelessly advocated for her release, told The AJN that the family is relieved and happy she is finally back home.

“Now it is her time to recover,” he said.

Levy shared a message on Instagram three days after her release thanking the IDF and the people of Israel for fighting for her.

“I am home,” she said.

“After 477 days, I’m finally home. I’m safe and protected, surrounded by family and friends, and feeling better every day. During the first 50 days since October 7, I was mostly alone. After that, I was held hostage with my fellow female soldiers and civilians who gave me strength and hope. We strengthened each other until the day of our release and even after.

“We are waiting for Agami [Agam Berger] and the rest of the hostages so we can complete the healing process.”

read more:
comments