Karina Ariev reportedly told outgoing IDF Chief of Staff that she was severely beaten, strangled during abduction to Gaza.
By World Israel News Staff
A female observation soldier who was kidnapped from her army base by Hamas terrorists and held in the Gaza Strip for 13 months revealed that she was sexually harassed by one of her captors, according to a Saturday evening report from Channel 12 News.
Karina Ariev, 20, was abducted from Nahal Oz alongside Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, and Naama Levy. Nearly all of the other soldiers on the base were killed in the Hamas onslaught.
The five women were freed in late January and early February, during phase one of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage exchange deal.
While Ariev has not yet spoken directly to the media, Channel 12 News reported new details about October 7th and her time in captivity.
The report is based on a conversation that Ariev had with outgoing Chief of Staff Herzi HaLevi.
The Jerusalem-born soldier said she had initially played dead during the Hamas invasion of the base, hiding amid a pile of dead bodies.
Meanwhile, terrorists fired additional shots into dead soldiers’ bodies, in order to confirm they had killed them.
A terrorist noticed that Ariev was still alive and pulled her aside. If he hadn’t seen her breathing, Ariev likely would have been shot multiple times.
On the way to Gaza, Ariev was severely beaten and strangled nearly to the point of unconsciousness by her abductors.
They also stole her jewelry and ripped hair out of her head.
At one point Ariev was forced to lie on the hot hood of the terrorists’ vehicle, which caused burns to her body.
Once in captivity, Ariev endured psychological torture, including threats and insults from the terrorists guarding her.
One of the terrorists repeatedly sexually harassed Ariev, though details about his behavior were not included in the report.
Ariev said she would report tell his commander about his actions, and the harassment stopped, according to Channel 12 News.
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