Ela Elyakim is seen in Gaza several days after she was abducted on October 7th from her father's house in Nahal Oz
(IDF)
The IDF on Sunday released a video clip found by troops in Gaza, showing 8-year-old Ella Elyakim who was abducted to Gaza by Hamas on October 7 and later released in a hostage deal.
Ella and her 15-year-old sister Dafna were kidnapped from the home of their father Noam in Kibbutz Nahal. He was murdered by terrorists along with his partner Dikla and her son Tomer. The girls were held captive for 51 days.
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Ella and Dafna Elyakim in a Hamas photo taken during their 51-day captivity
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
"I am Ella Elyakim, I am Noam's daughter, I am 8 years old and am a hostage of Hamas," Ella says repeatedly in the video clip. The troops also found a photo of both sisters taken by their captors.
The terrorists broke into their home on October 7 and recorded the family members sitting frightened in a corner, with their father Noam seen bleeding, and uploaded the videos to social media.
IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari gives statement on Hamas propaganda video using child hostage
(Video: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
The girls were freed in November during a hostage exchange deal and were reunited with their mother Maayan Zin.
After the film was found, it was shown to the family and at their request, was made available to the media.
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Ella and Dafna Elyakim reunited with their mother after their release from their 51-day-long captivity in Gaza
In the clip, the girls are seen standing by a Hamas flag. Ella said she was made to repeat her lines over and over, wearing different clothes, until her captors were satisfied. She said the clothes in the clip were not hers and she was forced to put them on.
Both girls said they were held under harsh conditions and were moved around between homes while in captivity.