Current:Home > MarketsHamas militants held couple hostage for 20 hours-LoTradeCoin
Hamas militants held couple hostage for 20 hours
View Date:2024-12-24 07:33:31
Israel -- Rachel and David are a couple in their 60s and were held hostage for 20 hours in their own home in Ofakim, some 25km from Gaza, by Hamas militants following the deadly incursion where at least 900 people have died, and 2,600 others have been injured in Israel, according to Israeli officials.
We have just toured their house --- their walls and floors are covered in blood from the operation to free them. It was their son Evi, a policeman, who was involved in their rescue.
Evi described a standoff that had him standing in the doorway holding his pistol aimed at the head of one of the militants, as the man held his arm around his mother’s neck, with a grenade in his other hand. She signaled to her son with her five fingers spread over her face to tell him there were five hostage takers in her home.
MORE: Horrors emerge from Hamas infiltration of Israel on Gaza border
Eventually, a SWAT team convinced Evi to retreat, and they took over the rescue. Rachel and David said they survived their 20-hour ordeal using their wits. Rachel said she cooked for her captors, keeping them occupied with coffee and cookies while hell raged all around them.
MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: IDF finds bodies of 1,500 Palestinian militants near border
Evi takes me to meet them. Rachel is beaming - smiling because she’s free, but also perhaps avoiding the trauma and shock of what she’s been through.
"I made them chicken! Offered them coffee. I knew that if they are hungry, they are angry," Rachel says as husband David looks on.
When the SWAT team stormed in, David says he jumped over his wife to protect her. She says 40 years of marriage was saved by his act of heroism too.
veryGood! (777)
Related
- The state that cleared the way for sports gambling now may ban ‘prop’ bets on college athletes
- Sarah Jessica Parker's Amazon Holiday Picks Include an $8 Gua Sha Set, $24 Diffuser & More
- Panama’s Supreme Court declares 20-year contract for Canadian copper mine unconstitutional
- UNC Chapel Hill shooting suspect found unfit to stand trial, judge rules
- Denzel Washington Will Star in Black Panther 3 Before Retirement
- Mysterious and fatal dog respiratory illness now reported in 14 states: See the map.
- Rosalynn Carter lies in repose in Atlanta as mourners pay their respects
- US Navy to discuss removing plane from environmentally sensitive Hawaii bay after it overshot runway
- Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn is ending her retirement at age 40 to make a skiing comeback
- Chinese AI firm SenseTime denies research firm Grizzly’s claim it inflated its revenue
Ranking
- This is Your Sign To Share this Luxury Gift Guide With Your Partner *Hint* *Hint
- College Football Playoff rankings prediction: Does Ohio State fall behind Oregon?
- How should you get rid of earwax? Experts say let your ears take care of it.
- More allegations emerge about former Missouri police officer charged with assaulting arrestees
- Disruptions to Amtrak service continue after fire near tracks in New York City
- New Google geothermal electricity project could be a milestone for clean energy
- Dolly Parton's Sister Slams Critics of Singer's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Outfit
- Nikki Haley lands endorsement from Koch brothers-backed Americans for Prosperity PAC
Recommendation
-
Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and More React to Craig Melvin Replacing Hoda Kotb as Co-Anchor
-
Horoscopes Today, November 27, 2023
-
'Height of injustice': New York judge vacates two wrongful murder convictions
-
Nikki Haley lands endorsement from Koch brothers-backed Americans for Prosperity PAC
-
Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year
-
Panthers fire Frank Reich after 11 games and name Chris Tabor their interim head coach
-
Montana man intends to plead guilty to threatening US Sen. Jon Tester
-
Latvia’s chief diplomat pursues NATO’s top job, saying a clear vision on Russia is needed