Kidnapping of Naama Levy

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Naama Levy
נעמה לוי
Screenshot of video showing Naama's abduction, in bloodied sweatpants
NationalityIsraeli
Known forAbduction during the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel

Naama Levy (Hebrew: נעמה לוי) is an Israeli woman serving in the Israel Defence Forces. On the morning of 7 October 2023, during the Hamas attack on Israel, Palestinian terrorists abducted her from the Nahal Oz kibbutz military base. Later that day, she was filmed with her hands tied behind her back as armed terrorists dragged her from the trunk of a Jeep and forced her inside the vehicle. One of the first viral videos of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, the footage showed Levy with multiple visible injuries, including a gash on her Achilles tendon and a large bloodstain on the seat of her gray sweatpants, which led to widespread concern that she had been raped or sexually assaulted.[1][2] Images from Levy's abduction have since come to symbolize sexual violence against Israeli women. As of April 2024, she is presumed to be among the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and her family continue efforts to secure her release.

Background

Levy grew up in Raanana, near Tel Aviv, and has three siblings.[3] She is an athlete and alumnus of Hands of Peace, which promotes peace among Israeli and Palestinian youth.[4][5] At the time of the 7 October attacks, she was 19 years old and had just begun her service in the Israel Defense Forces.[6]

Abduction

External videos
video icon "Naama Levy taken captive by Hamas terrorists", The Australian
For broader coverage of this topic, see 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and Nahal Oz attack.

During the 7 October attacks, Levy was acting as an IDF observer[7] in the Nahal Oz kibbutz military base,[8] which was attacked by Hamas terrorists. Levy's last communication with her family was at 6:55 a.m., when she texted her mother confirming she was in a safe room.[9] Further messages sent to Levy 20 to 30 minutes later went unanswered.[3][10]

In footage posted by Hamas later that day, which was widely circulated online, Levy is seen barefoot, bruised, and cut, with an apparent bloodstain on her grey sweatpants. Her hands were tied behind her back. She was filmed being taken from the trunk of a Jeep and pushed into the interior of the vehicle by an armed terrorist while bystanders chanted "God is Great" in Arabic.[6] Her mother, who did not see the video until at least a day after the attack, stated that she was unsure if it was her daughter due to Levy's disheveled and bloody state.[11]

Efforts to secure Levy's release

Levy has become a symbol of sexual violence against Israeli women during the 7 October attack. Feminist activists in cities such as London and São Paulo have dressed in bloodied sweatpants like those worn by Naama.[12][13]

In a December 2023 interview with the Israeli channel i24 News, her father Yoni Levy requested the assistance of international organizations. He stated that while Levy had volunteered for and worked with organizations such as the Red Cross, the UN, and women's organizations, those organizations had not intervened on behalf of Levy and other female hostages.[14] He expressed outrage at the perceived silence of Michelle Obama, who had previously campaigned for the release of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, over the abduction of Levy and other women.[8]

On International Women's Day in 2024, her mother Ayelet Levy Shachar a doctor with the Israeli women's national football team, spoke at the Israel Hayom gala in Tel Aviv. She reminded attendees that her daughter and other female hostages were still being held in Gaza as of March 2024.[4] Levy Shachar also wrote an op-ed criticizing international organizations and women's groups for not acknowledging or condemning sexual violence committed during the 7 October attacks.[5]

In March 2024, her brother Amit Levy shared her story during a meeting with the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group, led by MPs Stephen Crabb and Margaret Hodge, organized in partnership with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Family members of other hostages also told their stories.[15] The hashtag "#METOOUNLESSYOURAJEW" has become associated with Jewish women who are or have been held captive and reported to have endured sexual violence due to the 7 October 2023 attacks.[16][17]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mother of Naama Levy, from harrowing Gaza video: 'Each minute is an eternity in hell'". The Times of Israel. 9 December 2023.
  2. ^ "These Are the 14 Women Remaining in Captivity in Gaza, Facing an Uncertain Fate". The Media Line. 18 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b Gilbody-Dickerson, Claire (31 December 2023). "'Mum, don't watch this': Mother of teen taken by Hamas fears sexual violence". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b "'Don't stop saying her name': Mother of Hamas captive speaks at Israel Hayom event". IsraelHayom. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b Golodryga, Bianna (20 December 2023). "'For her, time is running out': A mother's desperate plea to get her bloodied and battered daughter out of Hamas captivity". CNN. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b Campbell, Joseph (5 November 2023). "Israeli mother of Gaza hostage: 'I try to keep my thoughts on her'". Reuters. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  7. ^ Doron, Yaron (17 December 2023). "'No more room on the memorial': A high school copes with growing list of killed graduates". IsraelHayom. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b Mann, Niko (26 December 2023). "'I Am Disappointed': Father of Hamas Hostage Slams Michelle Obama for Being Silent About His Daughter's Kidnapping". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Taken captive: Naama Levy, Hands of Peace project alumnus". Times of Israel. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  10. ^ Davis, Rebecca. "'Where the hell are you?'". www.australianjewishnews.com. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  11. ^ Sukheja, Bhavya (9 December 2023). ""Am Helpless...": Mother Of Israeli Hostage Speaks Out, Pleads For Release". NDTV.com. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Protesters demand solidarity for raped Israeli women at feminist art event". The Jewish Chronicle. 27 January 2024.
  13. ^ Toueg, Gabriel (7 February 2024). "Bound and 'bloodied' girl shocks Brazilians into comprehending Hamas horrors". The Times of Israel.
  14. ^ Ben-David, Calev (6 December 2023). "Father of abducted teen, Naama Levy, pleads for international action amidst reports of dire conditions in Gaza". I24news. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  15. ^ Jordan, Eliana (15 March 2024). "Brother of Naama Levy: 'I can't help feeling that I failed to keep her safe'". thejc.com. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  16. ^ Jerenberg, Batya (25 March 2024). "Female hostage was kept as domestic slave – report". WIN. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Israel's Hostage Agony Is Only Beginning". hartman.org.il. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

External links

Retrieved from "https://mdwiki.org/wiki/Kidnapping_of_Naama_Levy"