From Le Figaro with AFP
Published 1 hour ago, updated 14 minutes ago
Family and friends of Israeli soldier Ori Megidish react to the news of her release after an Israeli ground operation in the Gaza Strip, near her home in Kiryat Gat, Israel, October 30, 2023. EVELYN HOCKSTEIN / Portal
19-year-old Ori Megidish was on guard duty at the ultra-militarized border between Israel and the Gaza Strip when she was captured by Hamas militants on October 7.
An Israeli soldier freed from Hamas by the army in late October rejoiced on Monday, November 27, at the release of hostages by the Palestinian Islamist movement, the first public comments since the mysterious operation that took her out of the released from captivity.
19-year-old Ori Megidish was on guard duty at the ultra-militarized border between Israel and the Gaza Strip when she was captured by Hamas militants on October 7. The army confirmed her rescue three weeks later, without details of her captivity or the operation to free her.
In a video filmed at her home and posted on her Tiktok account, Ori Megidish said that she is “doing well” and that she is “glad to see the moving images of the hostages being reunited with their families.” . “I hope that all the families who are still waiting are reunited and can rejoice like me.”
“Pick up the pieces before we continue fighting”
Fourteen new Israeli hostages returned to Israel on Sunday, on the third day of a ceasefire that saw Hamas release 50 hostages within four days, compared with the release of 150 Palestinians detained by Israel.
“You are in our arms. They are doing well, healthy and smiling,” said Inbar Goldstein after the release of his sister-in-law Chen Goldstein Almog, 48, with three of her four children Agam, 17, Gal, 11 and Tall, 8. On October 7, Hamas militants killed the father and eldest daughter Yam, 19, before taking the others to the Gaza Strip. “Now let’s take a moment to catch our breath, smile again and put the pieces back together before we continue to fight” until the last hostage “comes back safe and sound,” Ms. Goldstein said in a statement hosted by the Hostage Families Forum published statement.
According to Israeli authorities, on October 7, Hamas killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 240 to Gaza. In retaliation, Israel promised to wipe out Hamas, bomb the Gaza Strip relentlessly, and then launch a ground offensive. According to the Hamas government, nearly 15,000 people were killed in these operations. On the last day of the ceasefire, Monday, negotiations continued on an extension and continued releases. But in the family of Elma Avraham, 84, who was released on Sunday, the sadness remained. The octogenarian was flown by helicopter to hospital in “critical condition” due to lack of care in captivity. Doctors say they still fear for his life.
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