Former Captive Disputes Israeli Media Allegations of Abuse in Gaza

According to SAEDNEWS, In a recent social media update, Noa Argamani took to Instagram on Friday to address what she claimed was a misquotation by Israeli media regarding her experiences as a captive of Hamas. Referring to her statements made during a meeting with G7 diplomats in Tokyo, Argamani expressed her frustration over how her words were represented in the press.

"I cannot ignore what happened here over the past 24 hours, taking my words out of context," she stated, emphasizing the misleading portrayal of her situation following her captivity on October 7.

Argamani clarified that her injuries were not inflicted by the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, but rather by Israeli military actions. "The Qassam members did not hit me while I was in captivity, nor did they cut my hair; I was injured by the collapse of a wall caused by an Israeli airstrike," she explained. She further stressed her point, stating, "I emphasize that no one hit me during captivity, but I was injured all over my body after the airstrike. I am a victim of the October 7th incident, and I refuse to be victimized again by the Israeli media."

Her experience gained attention when a video of her being taken from the occupied territories on a motorcycle circulated widely. After her release in June, alongside three other captives, Argamani has been vocal about her discontent with the distortion of her narrative, particularly about her treatment while detained in Gaza.

Describing a harrowing episode during the conflict, she recounted surviving an Israeli missile strike on the location where she was held. "I saw the missile hit the house and thought I would die, but I survived," Argamani stated. Throughout her captivity, she revealed that Hamas members moved her between various locations and allowed her brief outings, during which she disguised herself as an Arab woman.

Argamani's statements have sparked significant controversy among Israeli officials and media, contradicting the prevailing Israeli narrative regarding captives in Gaza. This discourse is further complicated by previous allegations made by Israeli officials—such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—claiming extreme acts of violence by Hamas during the October 7 operation, many of which have been disputed by international journalists and news organizations.

In times of conflict, the persistence of certain narratives can overshadow the truth, a phenomenon aptly summarized by a military adage attributed to Greek playwright Aeschylus: "In war, the first casualty is always truth." With Argamani speaking out, the dialogue around her experience continues to evolve, raising critical questions about the portrayal of captives and the impact of media narratives in wartime.