Full Breakdown
Romi Gonen's Harrowing Experience as a Hostage in Gaza
1/2/2026, 6:23:14 AM
Captivity and Abuse: A Survivor's Account
Romi Gonen, a former hostage held by Hamas for 471 days, has shared a detailed account of the sexual abuse she endured during her captivity. Gonen was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, when she was 23 years old, and her ordeal began shortly after being shot in the arm during the attack. In an interview aired on Channel 12's "Uvda," she described being taken to Shifa Hospital, where she was subjected to sexual assault by multiple individuals, including a supposed medical professional who was supposed to care for her injuries.
Gonen recounted that during her time in captivity, she was moved between approximately 30 different locations, often experiencing severe trauma and abuse. She detailed instances of being assaulted by four different men, highlighting the systematic nature of the violence she faced. One particularly harrowing incident occurred shortly after her abduction, where she was surrounded by a group of men who began tearing off her clothes while she lay helpless in a hospital bed.
The Threat of Silence
In a chilling revelation, Gonen disclosed that a senior Hamas commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, offered to expedite her release in exchange for her silence regarding the sexual assaults. During a phone conversation, he assured her that he would place her at the top of the release list if she agreed not to disclose her experiences. Gonen expressed uncertainty about whether he genuinely intended to help her, stating, “I don’t know if he really intended to get me out.”
The Psychological Toll
Gonen's testimony reveals the profound psychological impact of her captivity. She described moments of sheer terror, particularly during a brutal assault in a bathroom, where she felt a stark dissonance between the beauty of the outside world and the brutality she was enduring. “I looked through the window and said to myself: ‘Wow. Blue skies, birds chirping, and this is the situation I’m in right now,’” she recalled. The trauma was compounded by threats from her captors, including one instance where a gun was held to her head with the warning, “If you tell anyone about this, I’ll kill you.”
Official Responses and Broader Implications
President Isaac Herzog praised Gonen's bravery, calling her testimony “heartbreaking” and emphasizing the importance of sharing her story to honor the experiences of all hostages. Human rights organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, have condemned the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war by Hamas, asserting that it was part of a broader strategy to terrorize and dehumanize Israeli society during the October 7 attacks.
Conclusion
Romi Gonen's account sheds light on the severe abuses faced by hostages in Gaza, particularly the use of sexual violence as a tool of oppression. Her story not only highlights the personal trauma endured but also serves as a stark reminder of the broader humanitarian crisis stemming from the ongoing conflict. As Gonen continues to share her experiences, her voice contributes to the urgent call for accountability and justice for victims of such atrocities.
