Remembering those the world has forgotten on Int. Women's Day - comment

• Published date: 08 March 2024
• Author: ANDREA SAMUELS
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Women's groups, including UN Women, have compounded this suffering by their silence, some even calling for evidence to back up claims of the rape and sexual abuse that Hamas denies. Tragically, many of Hamas's victims were murdered on October 7 or are still in Gaza where they remain hostage

Only recently, after four long months, did UN envoy Pramila Patten visit Israel to focus on "sexual violence in conflict." The ensuing report confirmed that "sexual violence, including genital mutilation, sexualized torture, or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment" was carried out during the October 7 attacks.

However, even now, with confirmation by an international organization of such atrocities against women having occurred, the world remains silent. The ongoing plight of Israeli women, including the female hostages also cited in the report as having been subjected to "sexualized torture" remains a side issue at best, even today, on International Women's Day.

Fighting for those still in Gaza

As far as we know, 14 young female hostages remain alive in captivity in Gaza. Each one is a much-loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend. Those left behind have lived in a permanent state of hell since October with almost no news about their loved ones' ongoing ordeal – save for reports such as the one above, which confirms that they are likely suffering unspeakable cruelty at the hands of their captors.

Today, on International Women's Day, I look past the names to find out a bit about each woman, whose whereabouts have remained unknown since their brutal kidnap on October 7.

LIRI ALBAG, the youngest female hostage, turned 19 in captivity. Initially, her mother, Shira, thought Lili had ended up in hospital as a result of the rocket barrage from which she was sheltering. It wasn't until her daughter's boyfriend showed her a Telegram video posted by Hamas, showing Liri being kidnapped, that she realized her daughter had been taken.

Daniella Gilboa, 19, captured by Hamas terrorists was identified by her clothing when she appeared in a Hamas video later that day, bloodied, disheveled, and scared. Although her whereabouts are unknown, her mother hasn't given up hope: "I picture her walking in the door and coming home."

Naama Levy, 19, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors is perhaps one of the more recognizable of all hostages. She appeared barefoot in a Hamas video with her hands bound, wearing bloodied sweatpants, and being pulled out by her hair from the back of a...