CNN
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An Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldier released between a ceasefire and a residence contract said one of her biggest fears in captivity was a strike carried out by Israel.
Na’ama Levy, one of five IDF female soldiers released in January, commented at a weekly rally in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square on Sunday.
“They (strikes) come unexpectedly. At first you hear the whistle and pray that it doesn’t fall on us – and then there’s an explosion, a loud noise that’s so paralyzing it, and the ground shaking,” Levy told a crowd of thousands.
“Every time I was sure this was my end. It was one of the most frightening things I’ve experienced there, and it was also what put me at risk more than anything,” she continued, explaining the incident in which the strike caused a home where she partially collapsed.
“That was my reality. That’s what they are doing now,” she said.
“Even now, at this moment, there are hostages who hear those hists and explosions. They are trembling with fear. They have nowhere to run, they are praying, clinging to the wall with helplessness.”
Levi’s comments come as families of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza have increased criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, increasing pressure for Israel to end the war in Gaza.
Earlier this month, Netanyahu said defeating Israeli enemies was “the best purpose” and was more important than securing the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Levi said, seeking the return of all the Israelites’ hostages, “There will be no victory.”
“(Israel) has no way of leaving us in Gaza yet, who really understands what we are going through.”
In the early months of the war, another Israeli hostage expressed similar fear that he had been killed on an Israeli strike, Israeli media outlet Ynet said it had leaked from an announced meeting between hostages, their families and Netanyahu.
Fear feared, “Not Hamas, but Israel, you will kill us, Hamas killed you.”
Levi’s comments on Sunday appointed Major General David Zinny, who is reportedly opposed to the hostage trade after Netanyahu appointed a new chief of the country’s Singh Bett Security Agency on Friday. Hostage families condemned their choice.
According to news from Israeli Channel 12, Zini said at a meeting of IDF’s general staff: “I oppose the hostage trade. This is an eternal war.” The report does not provide a specific date for Zini’s comments. Channel 12 says he was a position he has been a frequent repeat of over the past year.
“If the reports are accurate, these are shocking statements and deserve clear condemnation, especially from those who are expected to hold the fate of hostages in his hands,” the Hostage and Missing Family Forum said in a statement at the time.
In his previous position as head of the IDF training command and general staff corps, Zini had little impact on hostage negotiations. However, as the head of Singh Bett, he was able to play an important role in view of the institution’s participation in previous rounds of indirect negotiations with Hamas.
“Appointing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s war against the return of hostages (Prime Minister Benjamin) is a crime against all the people of Israel, a blow to the value of solidarity and the sacred duty, and appointing a sacred duty to leave no one behind,” the Forum said.
In recent weeks, Israel has seen increased pressure to end the war in Gaza as its enclaves face widespread starvation amid a severe shortage of humanitarian aid.
The UK suspended trade talks and approved extremist settlers in the West Bank. Canada and France are threatening sanctions. Israel’s largest trading partner, the European Union is considering a groundbreaking association agreement with the country. In the words of one Israeli pastor, their patience is thinner than Israel’s decision to expand the war.
Levi’s Enquiry emerged as one of the first to make headlines as the Hamas-led October 7 attack unfolded.
A video released by Hamas showed Levi, who was then 19 years old, tied his hands and dragged him into his hair at the point of a gun.
