Hamas Captivity Survivor emotionally testifies at UN Security Council

Released Israeli hostage Amit Soussana participated in the UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday. She was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7 and was released after 55 days as part of the hostage release deal last November.

Giving horrific details to UN Boday Amit said: “I was dragged from my burning house to the Gaza Strip border, beaten severely along the way. It felt as though they were taking pleasure in hurting me. They even touched my private body parts while I tried to resist them. I resisted even though I knew that this might lead to my death, but at that point I was willing to die. I feared for my body and soul more than for my life. So, I fought back. My entire face and body were bruised and swollen. My eye socket was broken, and I sustained a knee injury from which I still suffer.

I was held captive, alone, chained by my ankle with a metal chain, unable to move and had to ask for permission to use the bathroom. In that house, I was sexually assaulted by the Hamas terrorist who was guarding me. He forced me to go to the shower and entered the room pointing his gun at me. He was breathing heavily and had a monstrous, beast-like face. He meticulously planned his assault, scheming and waiting for the moment to have his way. He kept asking me private sexual questions while sitting next to me in his underwear, lifting my shirt, touching me and constantly asking when my period would be over. I knew exactly what he was planning to do and yet I couldn’t do nothing to prevent it. I was utterly helpless. When the assault was over, I wasn’t even allowed to cry or be sad. I had no one to comfort me and was forced to “act nice” to the person who had just sexually assaulted me in the most horrifying way. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what that terrible man did to me, but I keep reminding myself that I am free now, and he can’t hurt me again.

I urge you, do not turn a blind eye to the atrocities being committed against innocent civilians. It is your responsibility to protect human rights, to combat terrorism, and to bring those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice. The world is watching, waiting for the UN Security Council to live up to its mandate. I beg of you, do not fail us. Secure the freedom of the hostages, and ensure that no one else suffers the same fate,” Amit appealed to world body.