What happened:
Israeli nurse Nili Margalit recounts her harrowing captivity in Gaza’s underground tunnels, where she provided critical medical aid to elderly hostages during the crossfire of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Margalit was part of a group taken by Palestinian militants during an incursion on October 7 that escalated into open warfare.
Why it matters:
Her story is a testament to human resilience and the determination to provide care in dire circumstances. The makeshift medical treatment she delivered underscores the dire shortage of supplies and resources amid conflict. Additionally, Margalit’s account increases awareness regarding the plight of hostages and innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
The underground ordeal:
Nili Margalit, captured in her village and traded to Hamas fighters, found herself responsible for treating injuries and managing chronic conditions of hostages with very limited medical supplies. Hamas delivered a bag of pharmaceuticals, but not everything was available, pushing her to resort to remedies like using honey for wound care.
Captive nurse’s pivotal role:
Margalit tended to the crucial medication needs of her fellow hostages, negotiating exhaustively with Hamas for additional supplies. Her fluency in basic Arabic enabled her to communicate effectively, marking her as an advocate and caretaker for those detained.
Hostage crisis unveiled:
The nurse’s firsthand insights offer a grim snapshot of the suffering and fear that pervaded among the captives. Apart from the struggle against illness without proper care, they faced psychological stressing tactics used by their captors. Despite the lack of news and isolation, Margalit’s relentless support became a beacon of hope and solidarity for her companions.
New light on Israel’s captives:
Margalit was captive alongside Yarden Bibas, illustrating personal tales of separation and despair as hostages grappled with misinformation about their families’ well-being. Her release in the November truce brought some of the hostages’ plight to public knowledge, while the fate of others, such as those Margalit left behind, remains anguishingly unresolved.
Hamas’ culpability for rationing essentials like food and medications has been highlighted by Margalit. She indicated that the uncertainties experienced below ground were compounded by a sense that their own nation may have unintentionally abandoned them to a grim fate.
The enduring fight:
Many captives remain in concrete confines below the war-battered expanse of Gaza, and Margalit fears for their well-being, particularly as medical supplies likely became depleted since her release.
The experiences shared by Margalit stir hearts and demand urgent international attention towards bringing aid and facilitating the safe return of all hostages still enduring captivity’s grim grip.
This story was first published on jpost.com.