Released Israeli hostage Adina (72) met Hamas leader in dark tunnel | Abroad

Adina Moshe was trapped in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip for almost 50 days. Yesterday she talked about it again on Israeli television. She spoke of a dark, damp tunnel, in which time was killed with, among other things, lectures from three fellow hostages. The three are still being held captive.

Adina told her story at a time when a new agreement on the possible release of hostages is on the table, but has not yet been concluded. Hamas still holds more than 100 civilians captive. The previous deal between Hamas and Israel at the end of November resulted in the release of approximately 100 hostages.

The conditions of Adina’s captivity were appalling, the 72-year-old woman said. Together with other hostages, she was visited by Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar in the underground corridors. He is said to have addressed them in Hebrew, a language he learned during his long captivity in Israel: “Hello. How are you? Everything fine?” The hostages turned their heads away and said nothing. Another visit followed three weeks later.

Adina Moshe lived with her husband David in the kibbutz Nir Oz, when Hamas fighters invaded there on October 7. Her husband was shot in the leg, Adina herself was dragged from their home. One of the terrorists went back inside to shoot David dead. Before he was killed, he blew her a kiss goodbye, Adina said. She was then taken to Gaza on a moped. A terrorist brutally ripped off an earring from her ear. Before he could strike again, Adina gave him her other earring. He stole all her jewelry.

Together with other hostages, Adina had to walk through Hamas’ extensive, dark tunnel network for five hours. There was hardly any relief. They eventually entered an underground chamber where they were told they would be released in the coming days. “We believed them,” said Adina. “We believed this was the first thing Israel would do.” It clearly reflects criticism of Israel, because it would take another fifty days before it was liberated.

Adina Moshe speaks some Arabic herself. She asked the hostage takers not to point their guns at them so as not to further frighten a captured child. They complied. Adina was also allowed to walk through the hallways. She had asked for that for her weak heart. For example, she discovered two hostages who were in a cell, saying they had defended themselves against the terrorists.

Adina couldn’t hear Israel’s heavy bombardments on Gaza this deep underground, but she felt them as the tunnels seemed to move.

Adina broke down during the interview, tears flowed. The photos of the tunnels released by the army continue to haunt her. “I have the feeling that some of my fellow hostages are no longer alive, because they are no longer where I was,” she added. “They took them out of there. I’ve seen the photos.”