Israeli

Israeli Teen, 18, Recounts Hamas Captor’s Marriage Proposal: ‘Received Ring on Day 14 of Captivity’

Published

7 months ago

May 4, 2024

Noga Weiss will enlist in the IDF this month, she told Channel 12.Keshet 12 News

Noga Weiss, an 18-year-old Israeli woman, recently shared her chilling experience of being held captive by Hamas for nearly two months following an attack on October 7th

During her captivity in the Gaza Strip, one of her captors made disturbing declarations, including professing love for her, offering her a ring, and stating that she would bear his children.

Weiss, speaking to Channel 12 as reported by the Times of Israel, revealed that her captor’s proposal left her in a precarious situation. “He gave me a ring on day 14 [in captivity], and I stayed with him until day 50,” she recalled.

She also mentioned that the captor threatened her, saying, “Everyone will be released, but you will stay here with me and have my children.”

Noga (right) and her mother Shiri were released on Nov. 25.

Facing such dire circumstances, Weiss had to think quickly. When asked about her response to the captor’s proposal, she admitted, “I pretended to laugh so he wouldn’t shoot me in the head.”

The situation took another turn when the captor mentioned bringing her mother to approve of their marriage. This brought mixed emotions for Weiss, who had initially thought her mother was dead.

However, her mother’s presence eventually led to a confrontation where they rejected the captor’s proposal.

Throughout the ordeal, Weiss was moved between different locations, forced to wear a hijab, and act as if she were married to her captor. She recalled moments of forced normalcy, such as playing cards with her captors, all the while navigating the constant fear of violence.

The captors frequently espoused anti-Israel rhetoric, emphasizing their belief that Israel rightfully belonged to them. Weiss also highlighted the intense psychological toll of constant fear during her captivity. “People don’t understand the feeling of fear,” she expressed.

The events leading to Weiss’s captivity unfolded when Hamas attacked her community in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7th. Her father, Ilan Weiss, was tragically killed during the attack, leaving the family devastated. While Noga and her mother, Shiri Weiss, sought refuge in a safe room, they faced a terrifying barrage of gunfire before being taken captive.

The family’s communication during the attack through WhatsApp messages added to the harrowing experience, as they witnessed their home being attacked and their father’s fate unfolding.

Noga’s older sisters, Meytal and Ma’ayan, who were away from home at the time, played a crucial role in maintaining contact and trying to ensure their safety.

Despite the trauma, Noga Weiss remains resilient. She and her mother were released with the first group of hostages on November 25th. However, the family’s ordeal is far from over, as they await the return of all hostages and closure for their father’s remains.

Reflecting on her experience, Noga expressed a mix of emotions. While her faith in the Israel Defense Forces wavered initially, her release and the presence of IDF soldiers provided a sense of safety. She plans to enlist in the IDF in May, highlighting her determination to move forward despite the trauma endured.