Ilana Gritzewsky, a former hostage recently released from Hamas, shares her painful journey as she advocates for her partner and other captives still in Gaza after the violent October 2023 attacks.
She Was Freed, Now She Fights for Partners Left Behind
She Was Freed, Now She Fights for Partners Left Behind
Ilana Gritzewsky's journey from captivity to advocacy embodies the struggle for those still held in Gaza.
More than 15 months have gone by since Ilana Gritzewsky was freed from Hamas captivity, but she still grapples with the scars of her abduction. Her partner, Matan Zangauker, remains among the hostages trapped in the Gaza enclave. The couple was kidnapped from their home in an Israeli border village on October 7, 2023, during a coordinated assault that marked the beginning of the ongoing Gaza conflict.
While attempting to recover from her trauma, Gritzewsky, now 31, has redirected her efforts towards advocating for those still held captive, including Zangauker and two other men she last saw while enduring her own horrific ordeal. The traumatic experiences she faced have rendered her own healing process a secondary concern, as she tirelessly campaigns for the release of hostages still in Gaza.
According to the Israeli government, approximately 24 living hostages remain in Gaza, along with the remains of at least 35 others captured during the same raid. Gritzewsky’s account of her abduction is harrowing; she describes being beaten and sexually assaulted by her captors during the journey to Gaza. Gritzewsky recalls losing consciousness during the ordeal and waking up in a grim state of fear and vulnerability, surrounded by armed men.
The fate of the hostages has grown increasingly uncertain as Israel escalates military operations in Gaza, seeking to pressure Hamas for their release amidst stalled ceasefire negotiations. Gritzewsky's commitment to her advocacy work continues, driven by the love for her partner and the urgent desire to see all captives returned home safely.
While attempting to recover from her trauma, Gritzewsky, now 31, has redirected her efforts towards advocating for those still held captive, including Zangauker and two other men she last saw while enduring her own horrific ordeal. The traumatic experiences she faced have rendered her own healing process a secondary concern, as she tirelessly campaigns for the release of hostages still in Gaza.
According to the Israeli government, approximately 24 living hostages remain in Gaza, along with the remains of at least 35 others captured during the same raid. Gritzewsky’s account of her abduction is harrowing; she describes being beaten and sexually assaulted by her captors during the journey to Gaza. Gritzewsky recalls losing consciousness during the ordeal and waking up in a grim state of fear and vulnerability, surrounded by armed men.
The fate of the hostages has grown increasingly uncertain as Israel escalates military operations in Gaza, seeking to pressure Hamas for their release amidst stalled ceasefire negotiations. Gritzewsky's commitment to her advocacy work continues, driven by the love for her partner and the urgent desire to see all captives returned home safely.
