The tale of Nili Margalit, a 42-year-old Israeli nurse, is not just another abduction story. It’s an account of a civilian’s horrifying ordeal, which started with an unexpected invasion, followed by a horrifying sale to Hamas militants.
Margalit’s account contradicts the standard narrative of militant abductions. According to her, it wasn’t the Hamas militants who first captured her. Instead, it was armed Palestinian civilians who had stormed her residence at Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Pre-dawn alarms, signaling incoming rockets, heralded the terrifying events of October 7. Margalit, seeking refuge in her unlocked saferoom, could do little but listen as the attackers wreaked havoc in her home.
Upon capturing Margalit, the civilians didn’t retain her for long. Instead, she was sold to Hamas terrorists, who promptly transported her into an underground tunnel network that served as their makeshift prison.
Once in the hands of Hamas, Margalit’s life took a turn for the worse. The nurse was taken to a “reception room” within the tunnel network, which housed around 30 other hostages, including people from her kibbutz.
Margalit, along with nine other hostages, was then relocated to a dormitory. It was here that they had to grapple with the grim reality of their situation while trying to maintain a semblance of humanity.
With only rice and bread provided for sustenance, Margalit had to find ways to occupy her time. Yoga and conversations with fellow hostages became her refuge in this dire situation.
The emotional turmoil of the hostages was palpable. From shouting and crying to laughter, the range of emotions on display was a testament to their shared humanity.
Eight weeks after her abduction, Margalit was released as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. Her release, however, didn’t mark the end of her ordeal.
Following her release, Margalit embarked on a European tour to raise awareness of the 133 Israelis still held captive in Gaza, more than six months after their own abductions.
Margalit’s experience sheds light on the horrifying reality of Hamas‘s hostage-taking tactics. The group’s use of civilian abductors and their underground tunnel network reveals a chilling level of organization and ruthlessness.
