:Kidnapping of Naama Levy

Born in Israel on 22 June 2004, Levy was raised in India where she attended an American school.{{cite web | url=https://www.bring-naama-levy-home.org/naama-s-story | title=Naama's Story }} She has three siblings.{{Cite web |last=Gilbody-Dickerson |first=Claire |date=2023-12-31 |title='Mum, don't watch this': Mother of teen taken by Hamas fears sexual violence |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/world/mother-teenage-hostage-taken-hamas-sexual-violence-2827085 |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}} Her mother, Ayelet Levy Shachar, is a doctor with the Israeli women's national football team. Levy is a triathlete and an alumna of Hands of Peace, which promotes peace among Israeli and Palestinian youth.{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2024 |title='Don't stop saying her name': Mother of Hamas captive speaks at Israel Hayom event |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/03/07/dont-stop-saying-her-name-mother-of-woman-held-by-hamas-speaks-at-israel-hayom-event/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=IsraelHayom}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-26 |title='I have friends in Palestine': Israeli hostage's plea to her Hamas captors lays bare yearning for peace |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-hostage-hamas-gaza-palestinians-peace-naama-levy-rcna153660 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=NBC News |language=en}} She also volunteered for organizations including the Red Cross and the UN. At the time of the 7 October attacks, she had just begun her service in the Israel Defense Forces.{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Joseph |date=November 5, 2023 |title=Israeli mother of Gaza hostage: 'I try to keep my thoughts on her' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-mother-gaza-hostage-i-try-keep-my-thoughts-her-2023-11-05/ |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=Reuters |archive-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126120724/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-mother-gaza-hostage-i-try-keep-my-thoughts-her-2023-11-05/ |url-status=live }}

{{Broader|October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel|Nahal Oz attack}}

During the 7 October attacks, Levy was acting as an IDF observer{{Cite web |last=Doron |first=Yaron |date=December 17, 2023 |title='No more room on the memorial': A high school copes with growing list of killed graduates |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/12/17/no-more-room-on-the-memorial-a-high-school-copes-with-growing-list-of-killed-graduates/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=IsraelHayom |archive-date=23 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323175451/https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/12/17/no-more-room-on-the-memorial-a-high-school-copes-with-growing-list-of-killed-graduates/ |url-status=live }} in the Nahal Oz kibbutz military base,{{Cite web |last=Mann |first=Niko |date=2023-12-26 |title='I Am Disappointed': Father of Hamas Hostage Slams Michelle Obama for Being Silent About His Daughter's Kidnapping |url=https://atlantablackstar.com/2023/12/26/ather-of-hamas-hostage-slams-michelle-obama-for-being-silent/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Atlanta Black Star |language=en-US}} which was attacked by Hamas militants. Levy's last communication with her family was at 6:55 a.m. when she texted her mother confirming she was in a safe room.{{Cite web |date=23 November 2023 |title=Taken captive: Naama Levy, Hands of Peace project alumnus |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/taken-captive-naama-levy-hands-of-peace-project-alumnus/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=Times of Israel |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424233711/https://www.timesofisrael.com/taken-captive-naama-levy-hands-of-peace-project-alumnus/ |url-status=live }} Further messages sent to Levy 20 to 30 minutes later went unanswered.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Rebecca |title='Where the hell are you?' |url=https://www.australianjewishnews.com/where-the-hell-are-you/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=www.australianjewishnews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=23 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323175452/https://www.australianjewishnews.com/where-the-hell-are-you/ |url-status=live }}

Footage posted by Hamas later that day (according to Reuters), and widely circulated online, showed Levy in the Gaza Strip, barefoot, bruised, and cut, with her hands tied behind her back, and wounds on her ankles. She was filmed being taken from the trunk of a Jeep and pushed into the interior of the vehicle by armed militants while bystanders chanted "God is Great" in Arabic ({{langx|ar|الله أكبر |link=no}}). Her mother, who did not see the video until at least a day after the attack, stated that she was unsure the disheveled and bloody woman in the video was her daughter. However, Levy's father confirmed the footage was of Naama Levy.{{Cite web |last=Sukheja |first=Bhavya |date=December 9, 2023 |title="Am Helpless...": Mother Of Israeli Hostage Speaks Out, Pleads For Release |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/am-helpless-mother-of-israeli-hostage-speaks-out-pleads-for-release-4648617 |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=NDTV.com |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404222315/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/am-helpless-mother-of-israeli-hostage-speaks-out-pleads-for-release-4648617 |url-status=live }}

Images from the initial video of Levy's abduction have come to symbolize sexual and gender-based violence in the 7 October attack on Israel. Feminist activists in cities such as London and São Paulo have dressed in bloodied sweatpants like those worn by Levy in the footage.{{cite news |date=27 January 2024 |title=Protesters demand solidarity for raped Israeli women at feminist art event |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/protesters-demand-solitary-for-raped-israeli-women-at-feminist-art-event-yoqzn6fa |access-date= |work=The Jewish Chronicle |location= |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308073218/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/protesters-demand-solitary-for-raped-israeli-women-at-feminist-art-event-yoqzn6fa |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Toueg |first=Gabriel |date=7 February 2024 |title=Bound and 'bloodied' girl shocks Brazilians into comprehending Hamas horrors |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/bound-and-bloodied-girl-shocks-brazilians-into-comprehending-hamas-horrors/ |access-date= |work=The Times of Israel |location= |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308073219/https://www.timesofisrael.com/bound-and-bloodied-girl-shocks-brazilians-into-comprehending-hamas-horrors/ |url-status=live }}

On 22 May 2024, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released around three minutes of footage from Hamas militants' bodycams on the morning of 7 October. The video shows the militants taking Levy and other female soldiers hostage at Nahal Oz. Several of the women, including Levy, are seen with bloodied faces.{{Cite news |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |date=2024-05-22 |title=New footage is released of Hamas militants taking female soldiers hostage. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-hostage-video.html |access-date=2024-05-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523002304/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-hostage-video.html |url-status=live }} The hostages' families approved the release of the video to show how the women were treated and to pressure the Israeli government to resume hostage negotiations.{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=Shira |date=2024-05-23 |title=Families of Israeli female hostages release video showing their capture |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/22/israel-hamas-video-female-soldiers/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523081939/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/22/israel-hamas-video-female-soldiers/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Video shows Hamas abduction of female IDF spotters on Oct. 7 |url=https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/video-shows-hamas-abduction-of-female-idf-spotters-on-oct-7/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Israel Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Manning |first=Lucy |date=23 May 2024 |title=Israeli hostage's family hopes video is reminder of need for deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg33j53qe31o |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523001352/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg33j53qe31o |url-status=live }} In the video, Levy pleads with the militants in English, saying: "I have friends in Palestine." The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he was "shocked" by the footage and promised to do everything possible to bring the remaining hostages home.

On 16 July 2024, in a further bid to renew pressure for a hostage deal, Levy's family approved the release of a photo from the early days of her captivity, showing her with a black eye and a swollen face.[https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/families-release-images-of-5-female-troops-from-their-first-days-held-in-gaza/ Families release images of 5 female troops from their first days held in Gaza]

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| caption1 = Israeli children coloring a mandala in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to commemorate Levy's 20th birthday. According to released hostages Levy drew mandalas in captivity

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In a December 2023 interview with the Israeli channel i24 News, her father Yoni Levy requested the assistance of international organizations. He stated that while Levy had volunteered for and worked with organizations such as the Red Cross, the UN, and women's organizations, those organizations had not intervened on behalf of Levy and other female hostages.{{Cite web |last=Ben-David |first=Calev |date=2023-12-06 |title=Father of abducted teen, Naama Levy, pleads for international action amidst reports of dire conditions in Gaza |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/1701898703-father-of-abducted-teen-naama-levy-pleads-for-international-action-amidst-reports-of-dire-conditions-in-gaza |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=I24news |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318204908/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/1701898703-father-of-abducted-teen-naama-levy-pleads-for-international-action-amidst-reports-of-dire-conditions-in-gaza |url-status=live }} He expressed outrage at the perceived silence of Michelle Obama, who had previously campaigned for the release of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, over her silence concerning the abduction of Levy and other women.

On International Women's Day in 2024, her mother Ayelet Levy Shachar spoke at the Israel Hayom gala in Tel Aviv. She reminded attendees that her daughter and other female hostages were still being held in Gaza as of March 2024. Levy Shachar also wrote an op-ed criticizing international organizations and women's groups for not acknowledging or condemning sexual violence committed during the 7 October attacks. Another opinion piece about Levy and her abduction and status as a hostage was written by Levy Shachar and published in February 2024.{{Cite news |last=Levy |first=Ayelet |date=2024-02-23 |title=I wish I could tell those negotiating the fate of Israeli hostages: my daughter Naama is no bargaining chip |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/23/negotiators-fate-israeli-hostages-daughter-naama-child-captive |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In March 2024, her brother Amit Levy shared her story during a meeting with the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group, led by MPs Stephen Crabb and Margaret Hodge, organized in partnership with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Family members of other hostages also told their stories.{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Eliana |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Brother of Naama Levy: 'I can't help feeling that I failed to keep her safe' |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/brother-of-naama-levy-i-cant-help-feeling-that-i-failed-to-keep-her-safe-hohsffts |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=thejc.com |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318203826/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/brother-of-naama-levy-i-cant-help-feeling-that-i-failed-to-keep-her-safe-hohsffts |url-status=live }} The hashtag "#METOOUNLESSYOURAJEW" has become associated with Jewish women who are or have been held captive and reported to have endured sexual violence due to the 7 October 2023 attacks.{{Cite web |last=Jerenberg |first=Batya |date=2024-03-25 |title=Female hostage was kept as domestic slave – report |url=https://worldisraelnews.com/female-hostage-was-kept-as-domestic-slave-report/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=WIN |language=en-US |archive-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326105918/https://worldisraelnews.com/female-hostage-was-kept-as-domestic-slave-report/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|access-date=April 8, 2024|website=hartman.org.il|title=Israel's Hostage Agony Is Only Beginning|date=27 November 2023 |url=https://www.hartman.org.il/israels-hostage-agony-is-only-beginning/|archive-date=26 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326105918/https://www.hartman.org.il/israels-hostage-agony-is-only-beginning/|url-status=live}}

It was reported at the end of March 2024 by Levy Shachar that some hostages who were released during the November 2023 cease fire and resulting prisoner exchange that they had come into contact with Levy and while she had been wounded in the legs, she was walking and talking under her own power. Her comments came before a meeting with Netanyahu and other family members of the remaining female IDF soldiers still held by Hamas, where she expected to push for negotiations about a potential hostage deal.{{Cite web |date=31 March 2024 |title=Mother of Gaza hostage Naama Levy says daughter survived 'difficult things' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/mother-of-gaza-hostage-naama-levy-we-received-a-sign-of-life-a-few-weeks-ago/ |access-date=18 May 2024 |website=The Times of Israel |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518202615/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/mother-of-gaza-hostage-naama-levy-we-received-a-sign-of-life-a-few-weeks-ago/ |url-status=live }}

In April 2024, her aunt and others protested near the Knesset to bring attention to the plight of the remaining hostages including Levy, and stated that the most urgent issue was to bring the hostages home.{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2024 |title=Aunt of hostage Naama Levy: Israelis must scream to bring them home |url=https://www.jns.org/aunt-of-hostage-naama-levy-israelis-must-scream-to-bring-them-home/ |access-date=May 18, 2024 |website=JNS |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518200711/https://www.jns.org/aunt-of-hostage-naama-levy-israelis-must-scream-to-bring-them-home/ |url-status=live }}

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On 24 January 2025, Hamas announced that Levy and three other female IDF soldiers would be released the next day as part of the hostage exchange during the ceasefire. For each female soldier released by Hamas, Israel agreed to release 50 Palestinian prisoners it held, of whom 30 were serving life sentences.{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Hamas names four Israeli female soldier hostages to be freed in second swap |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-gives-names-four-israeli-hostages-be-released-saturday-2025-01-24/ |access-date=January 24, 2025 |website=Reuters}}{{cite web|title= Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal: What You Need to Know|url=https://www.ajc.org/news/israel-hamas-hostage-deal-what-you-need-to-know| date= February 1, 2025| publisher=American Jewish Committee }}

On 25 January, Levy and fellow IDF observers Liri Albag, Karina Ariev and Daniella Gilboa were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross in Palestine Square in Gaza. The handover occurred after a ceremony in which Hamas dressed the four hostages in military fatigues and brought them on a stage. Shortly after the handover, the former hostages were transferred to the IDF by the Red Cross and reunited with their families in Israel.{{Cite web |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |title=Hostages Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag freed by Hamas and handed over to the Red Cross |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hostages-karina-ariev-daniella-gilboa-naama-levy-and-liri-albag-are-handed-over-to-the-red-cross/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |title=Footage shows the 4 released hostages handed over by Red Cross to IDF troops |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/footage-shows-the-4-released-hostages-handed-over-by-red-cross-to-idf-troops/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}

In a public social media post a few days after her release, Levy offered thanks to IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians stating that during her captivity she was able to see them fighting for her. While she had been reportedly alone for the first 50 days of captivity, she said that she was later held with other IDF observers and they had supported one another during captivity and since release.{{Cite web |last=Yosef |first=Eugenia |date=2025-01-28 |title='I am finally at home': Freed Israeli hostage Naama Levy shares message |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/middleeast/israeli-hostages-message-hamas-intl-latam/index.html |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-28 |title='I saw how you were fighting for me!' Naama Levy shares first post since release from Gaza |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-839672 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}

File:Donald Trump meets with released Israeli hostages (2025) 01.jpg in the Oval Office, March 2025.]]

Following her release, it was reported that Levy and other members of her all-female IDF observer unit had documented, prior to being taken hostage, unusual practice raids and drills by Hamas taking place on the Gaza side of the border fence. Their warnings were ignored by officials within Israel.{{Cite news |last=McKernan |first=Bethan |date=2025-01-25 |title='They survived hell': Israel hails the homecoming of freed female soldiers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/25/they-survived-hell-israel-hails-the-homecoming-of-freed-female-soldiers |access-date=2025-01-27 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}

On 30 January 2025, the IDF claimed that Muhammad Abu Aseed, whom they said was the member of Hamas' Shati Battalion who could be seen dragging Levy in the original viral video, had been killed in a drone strike in September 2024. This news had not been made public until after the release of all the female soldiers.[https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-reveals-it-killed-hamas-terrorist-seen-dragging-naama-levy-to-captivity-on-oct-7/ IDF reveals it killed Hamas terrorist seen dragging Naama Levy to captivity on Oct. 7]

In early March 2025, Levy was part of a delegation of former hostages who travelled to Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump to urge him to continue efforts for the release of the remaining hostages.[https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/well-get-them-out-trump-tells-group-of-released-hostages-meeting-him-in-the-oval-office/ ‘We’ll get them out,’ Trump tells group of released hostages meeting him in the Oval Office]

• Killing of Shani Louk
• Kidnapping of Noa Argamani
• Rescue of Ori Megidish

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://www.bring-naama-levy-home.org/|Bring Naama Levy Home}}

{{Gaza war}}

Category:Hostage taking in Israel

Category:Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis

Category:Crimes against prisoners of war

Category:Sexual violence in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict

Category:Violence against women in Israel

Category:War crimes in the Israel–Hamas war