Freed Israeli Describes Gaza Captivity as "Trophy" Display

Yarden Roman-Gat, an Israeli physical therapist, was among roughly 250 hostages taken by Hamas during a large-scale assault on Israel on October 7.

Unlike others, Roman-Gat wasn't taken into Hamas' tunnel system but was confined to a house, closely monitored by captors who showcased her as a symbol of their victory.

The 36-year-old mother from Be'eri kibbutz recounted her experience on CBS' "60 Minutes," where she revealed her efforts to be seen as a person by her captors. Despite being paraded through Gaza as a trophy, she believes she managed to evoke some level of care from them, aiding her survival.

The October 7 attack led to approximately 1,140 deaths, with official Israeli figures pointing to civilian casualties. In contrast, the Gaza health ministry cites over 18,800 fatalities, mostly women and children, in the Israeli counter-offensive that also devastated large areas.

During an interview, Roman-Gat admitted fearing death in Israel's bombardment. Qatar's mediation brought about a temporary ceasefire last month, facilitating a partial hostage exchange which freed some Israelis for detained Palestinians.

Upon her release, Roman-Gat's captors expected her to show happiness about returning home, failing to understand her mixed emotions. Still, with her sister-in-law Carmel among the 129 hostages left, Roman-Gat emphasized the need for continued action to free those remaining in captivity.