A Mother's Race Against Time: The Urgent Plea for Her Daughter's Release from Hamas Captivity
Desperate for her daughter's freedom, a heartbroken mother pleads for help in rescuing 19-year-old Naama Levy from the clutches of Hamas A chilling video captures the brutality as Naama is dragged at gunpoint, leaving the world shocked yet compelled to witness her horrifying ordeal
The October 7 attack revealed one of the earliest and most disturbing viral videos. In the footage released by Hamas, 19-year-old Naama Levy is seen being dragged at gunpoint by a terrorist in Gaza, her hands bound and her ankles cut. Her pants are stained with blood. Dr. Ayelet Levy Shachar, Naama's mother, finds the video "extremely distressing" and admits that she cannot watch it all the way through, but she believes it is crucial for the world to witness.
Ever since October 7th, my daughter's story has been frozen in time. The short film captures the cruelty of those moments, but it doesn't come close to depicting who she really is.
Ayelet Levy Shachar, the mother of 19-year-old Naama Levy, who was kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, participates in a protest in Tel Aviv, Israel on November 4, demanding the prompt release of the hostages.
Photo Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
110 hostages have been released, mainly women and children, but Naama is still held captive by Hamas. Levy Shachar, a doctor for the Israeli women's national soccer team, is deeply concerned about her daughter's lack of medical care. "She's injured in her legs... The longer she goes without treatment, the more difficult it becomes."
RE'IM, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 13: The aftermath of the Supernova Music Festival site is devastating, with destroyed cars and personal effects still scattered around. The horrific event saw hundreds killed and dozens taken by Hamas militants near the border with Gaza, on October 13, 2023 in Kibbutz Re'im, Israel. Israel has responded by sealing off Gaza and initiating sustained retaliatory air strikes, resulting in at least 1,400 casualties and more than 400,000 displaced individuals. The large-scale attack by Hamas, which took place on October 7, involved a surprise assault on Israel from Gaza by land, sea, and air, leading to over 1,300 casualties and approximately 2,800 injuries. Furthermore, Israeli soldiers and civilians have been captured and moved into Gaza by Hamas. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war and announced the formation of an emergency wartime government. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images/File
What we know about rape and sexual violence inflicted by Hamas during its terror attack on Israel
"Time is running out for her," Levy Shachar tells CNN. She emphasizes that her daughter's gender and age make her especially vulnerable, pointing out the visible signs of assault in the video.
In a recent op-ed, Levy Shachar explained the basis for her fears. "There is a rationale for prioritizing the release of women and children: younger women face a higher risk of further trauma. Not only are women and girls more susceptible to various forms of violence, they also face a greater risk of infections and pregnancies resulting from sexual violence. The longer Naama is held captive and subjected to violence, the more likely she is to suffer the lifelong consequences of post-traumatic stress."
Levy Shachar is disappointed by the initial lack of recognition and denunciation from international organizations and women's groups, such as the UN and UN Women, regarding the sexual assaults and violence perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, despite growing evidence. It took almost two months for the UN secretary-general to release a statement on X, describing the reports of sexual violence as abhorrent acts of terror that need to be investigated. This was followed by a condemnation from UN Women two days later.
The siblings of Naama Levy speak during a Lights for Liberty event in New York City on December 13, demanding the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
David Dee Delgado/Reuters
Levy Shachar traveled to New York this week to meet with international officials and urge women's rights organizations, such as UN Women, to do more to secure her daughter's release. Despite wishing she could stay home in Israel and wait for her daughter to return, she feels that action is necessary now.
"I just want to stay at home by the door and the phone, waiting for that call to go get her. That's all I want," says Levy Shachar. "I don't want to travel anywhere. But I'm doing it because I believe the United States holds the most power in this situation, and I want to influence whoever I can."
The three hostages killed are identified as, from left to right, Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz, and Samer Talalka
Hostages and Missing Families Forum
What we know about how 3 Israeli hostages were killed by the IDF
Last Friday, just before she left home, there was a shocking announcement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that three hostages had been shot and killed by its soldiers. "I was shocked," she says, taking a deep breath. "The fear that I feel all the time just got worse at that point. It broke my heart."
With the war still ongoing, Levy Shachar begs for her daughter to finally be brought home. And she wants the world to recognize that Naama is much more than the young woman in that disturbing video from October 7.
Naama, at 19 years old, has already achieved a lot. She is a fun-loving yet serious and determined young woman. As a participant in the Hands of Peace program, a non-profit peace initiative for Israeli and Palestinian youth, she is committed to being a peace seeker. It is said that "when she comes back, she will make the world a better place."
Clarification: This story has been updated to clarify details of Levy Shachars meetings with officials in New York.Â
