With Hamas continuing to hold their husbands, two feeble Israeli women, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, were released.

In an emotionally charged press conference outside Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital, released hostage Lifshitz, 85, recounted her harrowing abduction by Hamas militants and her subsequent captivity in a labyrinth of tunnels in the Gaza Strip. Lifshitz criticized the Israeli government’s defense strategies, claiming that failures led her and many others to become “scapegoats” in a broader geopolitical conflict.

On October 7, terrorists abducted Lifshitz from Kibbutz Nir Oz, transporting her via motorcycle to the Gaza Strip. “They rampaged through the kibbutz,” Lifshitz recalled in a frail voice, criticizing the expensive border fence that failed to prevent the attack. Hamas’s assault resulted in significant loss, with some 180 of Nir Oz’s 400 residents killed or abducted and a total of more than 1,400 people murdered during their rampage through southern Israel.

While Lifshitz acknowledged being beaten during her abduction, she detailed humane conditions under captivity, a narrative that quickly drew criticism from Israeli public relations professionals. They condemned the handling of the press conference, labeling it a propaganda victory for Hamas, the organization still holding at least 220 individuals, including Lifshitz’s husband, Oded, 83.

Lifshitz’s ordeal began with a violent abduction, during which she was struck with sticks, and continued with a forced march through wet tunnels she described as a “spiderweb.” Despite these conditions, she recounted unexpected acts of kindness, such as medical care and maintained sanitation, a stark contrast to her initial treatment.

“They were very friendly to us,” Lifshitz said, regarding her captors. “They took care of all of our needs; this must be said to their credit.” This admission, however, stands in the shadow of ongoing anguish, as her husband and others remain in Hamas’s grasp, underscoring the complex and often paradoxical nature of her captivity.

The event highlighted potential miscalculations by Israeli officials and the military’s alleged underestimation of Hamas’s capabilities. Lifshitz pointed to overlooked warning signs and criticized the ineffective border security, emphasizing her unexpected role in a situation sparked by what she identifies as governmental failures.

Responding to her mother’s statements, Sharone Luton expressed relief for her mother’s return but anxiety over her father’s fate and that of the other hostages. “Our hearts are with the over 200 hostages still there. Our heart is with my dad and all the captives that are still there,” she stated.

The aftermath of the press conference stirred controversy, with experts and commentators debating the implications of Lifshitz’s remarks. While her words provided a personal account of life under Hamas captivity, they also inadvertently stepped into the contentious arena of international relations, with Israel facing scrutiny over its handling of the situation.

Despite the relief over Lifshitz’s release, the joy remains overshadowed by the grim reality for those like her husband, still held within an uncertain and perilous environment.