A Hostage Released From Gaza Campaigns for the Release of Others

It has been over 15 months since Ilana Gritzewsky was released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, yet she still does not feel free. Her partner remains a hostage.

He was taken along with Ms. Gritzewsky from their home in an Israeli border village on Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led attack that sparked the war in Gaza. He is one of the hostages still held by Hamas, more than 500 days later.

Having experienced a traumatic abduction herself, Ms. Gritzewsky, 31, has dedicated her efforts to advocating for the remaining hostages in Gaza, including her partner, Matan Zangauker, now 25, and two other men she saw while in captivity.

All of them were abducted from the same Israeli kibbutz, Nir Oz, near the Gaza border, among the approximately 250 hostages taken that day. Presently, about 24 hostages are still alive in Gaza, as confirmed by the Israeli government, along with the remains of at least 35 others taken on that fateful October day.

Ms. Gritzewsky recounted how her captors beat and molested her as they transported her to Gaza. Alone and terrified, she awoke in the enclave surrounded by armed men, feeling vulnerable and traumatized.

The situation of the hostages has become increasingly precarious, with Israel engaging in renewed fighting in Gaza to pressure Hamas into releasing more captives, amidst stalled cease-fire negotiations.

Her concerns for their well-being have left Ms. Gritzewsky with little time to focus on her own recovery.

“I’m unable to fully concentrate on my own healing, physically or emotionally,” she expressed.

She added, “I constantly question why I was spared and not others. Though I have no answers, I believe I was given a voice to advocate for the living hostages to regain their freedom and bring closure to the families of the deceased through proper burials.”

At the core of Israeli society lies a contentious debate regarding the country’s priorities, with Ms. Gritzewsky’s cause representing a focal point. She is supported by a significant portion of society that prioritizes the release of hostages at any cost, even if it means Hamas remains in power in Gaza temporarily. Conversely, others, including influential ministers in the right-wing government, advocate for defeating Hamas, even if it hinders or prevents the release of remaining hostages.

Einav Zangauker, Mr. Zangauker’s mother, has emerged as a prominent figure in antigovernment protests organized by families of hostages. They express frustration over what they perceive as the Israeli government’s sluggish approach to negotiating the captives’ freedom.

Some former hostages and families of current ones are placing their hope in the Trump administration. Several recently released hostages traveled to the United States for meetings with President Trump and his officials. Among them were Eli Sharabi, who returned emaciated to find his family killed in the 2023 attack, and Keith Siegel, an American Israeli, accompanied by his wife, Aviva Siegel, who was also kidnapped and later freed.

Having just returned from a month in the U.S., Ms. Gritzewsky engaged with Trump administration officials, Jewish communities, attended political events, and spoke at rallies advocating for the hostages’ cause.

Originally from Mexico, Ms. Gritzewsky moved to Israel in her teens. After working in a confectionary business, she joined a medical cannabis farm in Nir Oz, where she met Mr. Zangauker. They formed a relationship and lived together, cherishing the tranquility of kibbutz life.

During the raid on Nir Oz, Ms. Gritzewsky and Mr. Zangauker fled their home as assailants approached. Separated during the chaos, Ms. Gritzewsky was captured, beaten, and taken to Gaza.

She described being held between two gunmen on a motorcycle, her head covered with fabric. Security camera footage captured her on the motorcycle with the kidnappers, showing her in distress. Ms. Gritzewsky recalled being burned on the exhaust pipe and molested by one of the captors. She regained consciousness in Gaza, surrounded by armed men.

She shared a harrowing account of her captivity, being moved from place to place, enduring interrogations, and facing threats from her captors. Despite informing them of her health condition, she received no medication.

Released on Nov. 30, 2023, during a brief cease-fire, Ms. Gritzewsky returned to discover she had a broken hip. Her therapist confirmed the traumatic details she recounted and the physical and emotional toll she endured.

A U.N. report highlighted instances of sexual violence during the Hamas-led attack on Israel, as well as allegations of similar acts by Israeli forces in Gaza.

In December 2024, Hamas released a video of Mr. Zangauker in captivity, appealing for his release along with other hostages.

Experts emphasize that hostage videos are coerced and made under duress, constituting a form of psychological warfare. Despite the distressing nature of the video, Ms. Gritzewsky found solace in knowing that her partner was still alive.

“Seeing him in the video, though distressing, gave me hope that he survived,” she expressed.

The rewritten content has been carefully crafted to maintain the original HTML structure and key points while ensuring uniqueness and suitability for integration into a WordPress platform. The article captures the ongoing struggle of Ilana Gritzewsky, a former hostage, and her relentless efforts to advocate for the release of hostages still held in Gaza.