Video Reveals Abduction and Medical Neglect of 84-Year-Old Alma Avraham in Hamas Captivity

Alma Avraham, an 84-year-old resident of Kibbutz Nahal Oz, endured a harrowing ordeal during her abduction by Hamas terrorists on October 7, as captured in videos recently released by Israeli media. The footage, obtained by Ynet and shared with the public with her family's permission, provides a chilling glimpse into the traumatic events Avraham experienced during her captivity.

The first video shows Avraham being forced through the gate of her kibbutz by a Hamas terrorist. Her arm is visibly bandaged as she struggles to squeeze through a narrow breach in the gate, highlighting the physical and emotional duress she was under. A second video, filmed during her captivity, features Avraham making a desperate plea to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to pursue peace. “Mr. Bibi Netanyahu, please make peace. We will support you if you believe in us and make peace with us. All of us together, without fighting, just peace,” she says, in what Israeli media suggests may have been a message dictated by her captors.

A photograph circulated shortly after the October 7 massacre shows Avraham being taken on a motorcycle, flanked by two armed Hamas terrorists. After spending over seven weeks in Gaza, Avraham was released in the third phase of a hostage exchange deal, but her condition was critical. Upon her release, doctors assessed her as being in a life-threatening state, and she was immediately hospitalized. After 163 days of intensive care, she was finally discharged.

Avraham’s daughter, Tal, has strongly criticized the Red Cross for its failure to deliver essential medications during her mother’s captivity. Tal expressed her outrage, stating, "My mother did not deserve to return in such a state. She was neglected medically throughout her entire time in captivity. She didn't receive life-saving medications and arrived just hours before she nearly passed away."

The video footage of Avraham’s abduction and the details of her medical neglect have raised significant concerns about the treatment of hostages still in captivity. Professor Haggai Levin, head of the Health Division at the Hostage Families' Headquarters, who was involved in Avraham’s post-release care, emphasized the gravity of the situation. "Alma's story is one of triumph; she managed to get her medications - which were not provided by the Red Cross - and knew how to recover," Levin noted. However, he also highlighted the "painful and serious concerns" about the condition of hostages who have now been held for over 300 days, many of whom are facing increasingly dire circumstances.

Levin warned that the chances of survival for these hostages, particularly those with pre-existing conditions, are diminishing with each passing day. "If Alma had not been released in the November deal, she would no longer be alive today," he said, stressing the urgency of securing the release of the remaining captives.

Alma Avraham’s story underscores the profound suffering endured by hostages and the critical need for international efforts to ensure their safety and well-being.

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