Zack Shachar ‘relieved’ as Hamas releases hostage cousin, Israeli soldier Naama Levy

Hamas has released a soldier who became a symbol of its October 7 attack on Israel, reuniting her with her tearful parents and bringing relief to her Sydney-based cousin.

Former Israeli hostage Naama Levy reunites with family at an army screening point in Reim. Picture: AFP / Handout / Israeli Army

Naama Levy became a symbol of Hamas’ attack on Israel when footage from October 7, 2023, showed armed men dragging the Israeli soldier, shackled and bleeding, out of the back of a Jeep onto a street in Gaza.

Her ordeal came to an end on Saturday, when Hamas released her into the arms of her waiting parents, Ayelet and Yonni, at an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base camp with three other soldiers.

“Everything is going to be OK now,” her relieved and tearful parents said, embracing her during the second week of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Her cousin, Zack Shachar, 48, watched the release from North Sydney.

“She looked well,” he said. “She was smiling.”

Zack Shachar, whose kidnapped cousin has now been released. Picture: Richard Dobson

Naama, then aged 19, was abducted alongside fellow female soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa and Liri Albag from the IDF surveillance base at Nahal Oz, near the Gaza–Israel barrier, during the October 7 Hamas attack.

“Naama looked happy. She was smiling and waving on stage. Physically, she looks well, but we have yet to assess if mentally she is OK,” Mr Shachar added.

Naama Levy, who was held hostage. Picture: AFP

“My parents in Israel have spoken to her family and, for now, we are just relieved she is out.

“She had an injury on the right eye and it seems to have healed.

“Her parents were in tears and have told her everything will be OK now.

“She spent the night with her parents and grandparents and siblings at an IDF camp.

“It’s too early to say if there are any psychological damage”.

The Israeli Health Ministry’s general medicine division head, Hagar Mizrahi, said the four released women were going through an “emotionally and medically complex” situation and were expected to remain at Rabin Medical Centre for several days.

They will receive therapies aimed at their physical and emotional needs,” Dr Mizrahi said, according to The Times of Israel.

“This is an emotionally and medically complex event for the hostages, for their families, for the families of all the hostages, and for the entire people of Israel.”

Originally published as Zack Shachar ‘relieved’ as Hamas releases hostage cousin, Israeli soldier Naama Levy