Naama Levy | |
|---|---|
נעמה לוי | |
 Screenshot of video showing Naama's abduction, in bloodied sweatpants | |
| Born | 22 June 2004 Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Occupation | IDF spotter[1] |
| Known for | Abduction during the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel |
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 "Naama Levy taken captive by Hamas terrorists", The Australian |
Naama Levy (Hebrew: נעמה לוי; born 22 June 2004[2][3]) is an Israeli soldier serving in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). On the morning of 7 October 2023, during the Hamas attack on Israel, she was abducted from the IDF surveillance base at Nahal Oz near the Gaza–Israel barrier.
Later that day, Hamas released footage on social media showing Levy in the Gaza Strip, hands tied behind her back, as armed militants dragged her from the trunk of a Jeep and forced her inside the vehicle. One of the first viral videos of the Israel–Hamas war,[4] the footage showed Levy with multiple visible injuries and a large bloodstain on the seat of her gray sweatpants, which led to widespread concern that she had been raped or sexually assaulted.[5] Images from the footage have come to symbolize sexual violence against Israeli women during the attacks.
As of July 2024, Levy is presumed to be among the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and her family continue their efforts to secure her release. On 22 May 2024, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released footage compiled from Hamas militants' bodycams, showing Levy and other female soldiers being held captive at the surveillance base on the morning of 7 October. The families approved the release of the footage partly to pressure the Israeli government to resume hostage negotiations with Hamas.
- ^ "Hostages held by Hamas: The names of those abducted from Israel". Haaretz. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Izso, Lauren; Tawfeeq, Mohammed (22 June 2024). "Thousands gather in Tel Aviv to mark Naama Levy's 20th birthday while in Hamas captivity in Gaza". CNN. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ "Thousands of Israelis rally to mark hostage's birthday". Reuters. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ Golodryga, Bianna (20 December 2023). "'For her, time is running out': A mother's desperate plea to get her bloodied and battered daughter out of Hamas captivity". CNN. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Mother of Gaza hostage Naama Levy says daughter survived 'difficult things'". The Times of Israel. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.