What Israeli hostage released by Hamas said

Seconds before her release, 85-year-old Yocheved Lifschitz shook hands with a Hamas gunman.

"Shalon", she seemed to say – the Hebrew word for peace.

Lifschitz was then handed over by Hamas to the International Red Cross at the Rafah crossing between Gaza and neighbouring Egypt, the BBC reports.

The kidnapping took place on 7 October when Hamas attacked their kibbutz, Nir Oz, in southern Israel. 

A significant portion of the kibbutz's residents, including many children, were killed or taken captive during the assault, media reports.

Speaking at a press conference from Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv shortly after her release, Lifschitz detailed her experience. 

She described being hit with sticks and experiencing bruises and breathing difficulties, the BBC report added. 

Her daughter, Sharone Lifschitz, translated her mother's account for reporters, explaining that the 85-year-old was forced to walk for several kilometres on damp ground when taken into the "spider's web" of tunnels underneath Gaza.

"I went through hell," recounted Yocheved Lifschitz, also a peace advocate who was released by Hamas on Monday after being held captive for two weeks. 

Lifschitz and her husband were abducted by Hamas operatives on motorcycles and taken into a complex network of tunnels beneath Gaza.

"When I was on the bike, my head was on one side and the rest of my body on the other side. The young men hit me on the way. They didn't break my ribs but it was painful and I had difficulty breathing," Reuters reported.

During the conference, Lifschitz noted that the majority of the hostages were treated relatively well. 

She and another woman, Nurit Cooper, 79, were both released on Monday evening. 

Lifschitz stated that she was among 25 hostages taken into the tunnels. 

After several hours, she and four others from her kibbutz were taken into a separate room, where they each had a guard and access to a paramedic and doctor. 

Conditions in this area were reportedly clean, with mattresses for sleeping. 

There was also medical care available, including for a captive who had been badly injured in a motorbike accident on the way to Gaza.

Lifschitz added that they were provided with the necessary medicines and that women among the hostage takers were knowledgeable about feminine hygiene. 

They shared the same food as their Hamas captors, which included pitta bread with cheese and cucumber.

When asked about her handshake with the gunman, Lifschitz emphasised that the hostage takers had treated her and the other captives well, and that the remaining hostages were in good condition. 

She said the Israeli military had not taken the threat of Hamas seriously enough, and that the costly security fence meant to keep militants out "didn't help at all".

Her daughter, Sharone, noted that her mother's gesture was not surprising, describing it as characteristic of her.

Lifschitz and her 83-year-old husband, Oded, are well-known peace activists who have been involved in transporting sick individuals from Gaza to Israeli hospitals. 

Oded is a journalist who has advocated for peace and Palestinian rights for many years. 

Four hostages have been released in total, including two American-Israelis, Judith and Natalie Raanan, who were freed on Friday. 

However, over 200 people are still believed to be held hostage, with Nurit Cooper's husband among them.