Hamas’ treatment of hostages, a slap on fake Israeli propaganda
MUSCAT: The innumerable and consistent campaign by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to brand the Palestinian Resistance Movement of Hamas as cruel and illegitimate was exposed to the world on Tuesday when one of the freed hostages spoke of Hamas’ “caring” and “sensitive” approach.
The words of the 85-year-old Israeli woman Yocheved Lifshitz, who along with fellow Israeli woman, Nurit Cooper, 79, was released by Hamas on Monday from a hospital in Tel Aviv, were in stark contrast to how the IDF and the Israeli government have portrayed Hamas to the world.
A handshake by Lifshitz with her captors and her remarks that “Hamas ate the same food that they served us” brought the focus on the false propaganda machinery of Israel.
Following the press conference where the humane aspect of Palestinian resistance movement Hamas was brought to the forefront, a growing clamour for an independent investigation to October 7 events has grown across the world.
There has been a strong opinion that Israeli forces were involved in indiscriminate firing that led to Israeli casualties and have falsely blamed Hamas for the increased number of deaths during the attack in Israel.
Media reports quoted an Israeli eyewitness saying: “There were indiscriminate firing from the IDF and few of the fatalities happened because of IDF shooting and not because of the attack from Hamas fighters.”
There have been many unsubstantiated reports of deaths and fake stories that have gone viral in Israel on the mass deaths and killings by Hamas.
Lifshitz spoke about her ordeal at a press conference flanked by her daughter, Sharone, on Tuesday.
At the press briefing, the freed captive said Hamas fighters were “very kind” and “took care of all our needs” after she was kidnapped on October 7 and taken to Gaza Strip.
“They fed us well and also cleaned our toilets. They even ensured female hygiene,” said Lifshitz. “We ate what they ate,” she said, describing one meal a day of pita, cheese and cucumber.
According to a video released by Hamas on the hostage release, Lifshitz turned to one of the armed fighters and shook the person’s hand and uttered one word: “Shalom” meaning “peace” in Hebrew.
According to various media reports, the octogenarian, visibly exhausted and physically worn, told reporters that she offered the shook hands because the Hamas fighters “were gentle with us” when held captive in the tunnels.
Lifshitz’s daughter later told a TV channel that “Hamas fighters brought bananas and served the hostages during the captivity. In fact, they ate with the hostages.”
Lifshitz, a peace activist, has been helping transport Palestinians in Gaza for treatment in Israeli hospitals, and was taken hostage from Nir Oz.
The kibbutz, about a mile from Gaza, was overrun by Hamas, who killed or abducted around a quarter of its residents. Her husband, Oded Lifshitz, a journalist and fellow peace activist, is still being held.
Since the Hamas attack on October 7, Israel has responded brutally by bombarding Gaza, killing more than 6,400 people, according to Palestinian health officials.
Lifshitz’s comments are perhaps more representative of the kibbutzim near Gaza, many of whose residents were progressive peace activists like her and more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause than many other Israelis, according to various media reports.
Liftshitz’ daughter was interrupted while acknowledging that Hamas members treated hostages “very well” and were “very friendly” towards the captives.
Liftshitz was put in a large hall with 25 other hostages. Liftshitz’s daughter said that members of Hamas were “very friendly” towards the hostages.
“They took care of them. They were given the medicine and they were treated well,” Liftshitz’s daughter said, adding that one of the hostages who was injured in an accident was given antibiotics and medicine.
“They [Hamas] were very careful and clean,” the daughter said.
Liftshitz was released along with another elderly hostage on Monday. A video documented the release, showing Hamas escorting them to the Red Crescent. One of the videos also showed the hostages exchanging conversations with Hamas members while eating biscuits.
Liftshitz was also seen shaking hands with one of the Hamas guards when she was taken by an ambulance of the Red Crescent.
Asked why she shook hands, apparently with one of her captors, when she was transferred to a Red Cross ambulance, Liftshitz repeated again that the hostages were treated with “sensitivity.”
Lifshitz, along with her neighbour Nurit Cooper became the third and fourth captives released by Hamas.
On Tuesday morning, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari thanked Egypt for playing a “key role” in the release of the two Israeli hostages.
Earlier on Friday evening, Hamas released two American-Israelis, mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Ra’anan, also via the Rafah crossing with Egypt. The two were handed over to the Red Cross, which then handed them over to Israel. Hamas also said that the release was made “for humanitarian reasons.”
While calling for ceasefire, questions are being asked by the world community about the violations of international treaties and agreements by Israel while bombing the Gaza Strip an killing innocent civilians.
