How An Israeli Nurse Spent Gaza Captivity Helping Elderly Hostages

Amidst geopolitical turmoil, individual narratives often become overshadowed by the broader account of death tolls and crossfire. However, one particular story involving an Israeli nurse abducted to Gaza rises above the rest. In the aftermath of the October 7 rampage that triggered a conflict between Israel and Hamas, 41-year-old Nili Margalit found herself thrust into a nightmarish situation. Seized from her village by Palestinian civilians and "sold" to Hamas, she spent her captivity in an underground tunnel amidst the chaos of war, tending to elderly fellow hostages under challenging circumstances.

Her story sheds light on the challenges faced by the captives and the unwavering determination of a nurse amid adversity.

"We were in a state of shock," recalls Margalit, describing the initial moments of her captivity. Margalit, unaware of her father's fate and the tragic loss of over 1,200 lives, was thrust into a stifling Hamas tunnel, joining fellow hostages with various injuries. In a state of shock, they faced the reality of their captivity. Basic Arabic skills learned in an Israeli hospital's emergency room became Margalit's lifeline as she identified herself as a nurse to her captors.

Compassionate Care in Unthinkable Conditions

With compassion as her guiding light, Margalit took charge of the hostages' medical needs. Prioritizing the elderly, she documented crucial medications in English for Hamas. However, the pharmacy supplies proved inadequate, prompting her to make difficult decisions."The elderly ones worried me," she said, emphasising the need to address chronic conditions like heart issues, blood pressure, and kidney problems.

Despite the scarcity of supplies, Margalit improvised to address critical health issues. Near starvation became an unexpected ally, sparing diabetic sufferers from hyperglycemia. With only one strip of antibiotics, she opted for honey to counter inflammation, showcasing her resourcefulness in dire conditions.

Negotiating for Survival

Days later, a meagre black bag of pharmacy supplies arrived, but it proved insufficient. Margalit faced the challenge of negotiating with Hamas captors, including senior Palestinian officials who conversed in Hebrew. Displaying resilience and tact, she highlighted the urgency of medical supplies, warning that untreated illnesses could lead to fatalities. The captors, fearing the consequences, facilitated the release of several elderly female hostages in a deal that saw the freedom of Palestinian prisoners.

Enduring Hardship

Margalit, after 40 days of captivity, was granted access to TV news, becoming a conduit of information for elderly hostages without glasses or hearing aids. The captors' punishment tactics, including limiting illumination and ventilation, added to the already difficult conditions.

Hamas attributed the scarcity of food and medication to Israel's Gaza offensive, creating a sense of abandonment among the hostages, and Margalit, once again, found herself at the crossroads of geopolitics and human suffering.

The ordeal faced by Nili Margalit goes beyond the geopolitical context, focusing on the strength, compassion, and negotiation skills displayed by a nurse in the most unimaginable circumstances.  As the conflict in Gaza continues, her story sheds light on the untold struggles faced by those caught in the crossfire.