Egypt Daily News – Israeli soldier revealed surprising treatment by Hamas during captivity in Gaza. A new report by Israel’s Channel 12 has revealed the testimony of Agam Berger, a recently released Israeli detainee who previously served as a field observer in the Israeli army. Her account of her time in captivity in Gaza has come as a shock to Israeli society.
Hamas allowed detainees to practice their religious rituals
Berger stated that Hamas fighters treated them well, allowing them to observe their religious practices and watch media broadcasts. She said, “We were aware of the times and religious holidays and were able to observe Shabbat rituals.”
Hamas fighters respected my religious beliefs during captivity
Agam Berger, a recently released Israeli detainee, revealed that Hamas fighters showed her special respect due to her religious devotion and fully honored her religious traditions, even assisting her in practicing them.
Hamas Provided Religious Items to Detainees
Berger stated that during her captivity, Hamas provided detainees with some religious items. She recalled that in January of last year, she received a Siddur (Jewish prayer book) that had been found on the battlefield.
“They found it and asked us what it was. When we told them it was a prayer book, they decided to give it to us. We used it throughout our captivity,” she said.
She also noted that Hamas fighters collected various items left behind by Israeli soldiers at their positions, including military ID cards and even some operational maps.
Tracking the Calendar in Captivity
Berger explained that she and other captives followed the calendar by listening to the radio and watching certain television programs that displayed specific dates. They also had access to a Gregorian calendar, which helped them keep track of the days.
She noted that she was able to observe fasting on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Tisha B’Av, and the Fast of Esther.
Religious Considerations by Hamas
“During Passover, I refused to eat leavened bread and requested corn flour instead. The Hamas fighters agreed and brought me what I asked for,” Berger said. “I noticed that my religious devotion earned me additional respect in their eyes. They would say that they preferred dealing with someone who believes in God rather than someone who doesn’t believe at all.”
She also maintained her observance of the Sabbath despite being in captivity, refusing to light fires or watch television on Saturdays. At times, she even refrained from listening to the radio.
According to Berger, there were occasions when her captors provided her and her fellow detainees with candles to observe the Sabbath. They were also allowed to listen to Galgalatz, the Israeli military radio station, to determine the exact start time of the Sabbath.
Final Moments Before Release
In the final moments before her release, a Hamas fighter informed her that she would soon return home and that her fellow hostages had already been freed and arrived in Israel. Initially skeptical, she only believed it when she saw a video of her fellow detainees leaving Gaza, realizing that her freedom was near.
