This is Naama Levy. Her closed eyes show the severe violence she suffered. Her face is pale and emaciated. She was kept in solitude, cut off from her friends, after being photographed bound and bleeding on October 7. This is Naama Levy, a girl who became a soldier whose job was to stand guard, not to close an eye day and night, and to pay attention to every movement and step on the border. Here she is, with a large black eye:
Who sees her? Who listens to her? Who is guarding Naama? The reconnaissance soldiers on the border warned time and time again and insisted on describing what they saw, but they were overlooked. They saw before their eyes how all the obstacles failed, how terrorists flooded Israel's borders, and how their friends were murdered and burned. They did not have the privilege to deny reality, to look away. Now most of them lie dead in the cemeteries, after the terrible massacre. They literally gave their lives to guard the border. Five of them have been in captivity for 284 days.
One of the greatest failures of October 7
They were not listened to, they were insulted, and the commanders claimed the reconnaissance soldiers were the eyes, but not the head, leaving them exposed without weapons or proper training. On Sunday, the murdered soldiers' families met with the prime minister. They cried in pain that when their daughters closed their eyes for one moment, they were sent to prison for three weeks.
What is the punishment for those who close their eyes for a decade? Netanyahu claims to have not known and did not listen. He told the parents that he only found out yesterday that they were unarmed, something everyone already knew. His eyes are wide shut.
The State of Israel owes a huge debt to those soldiers and their families: the living and the murdered, but first and foremost the hostages.
Chen Artzi SrorPhoto: Ynet This moment, when there is a potential deal on the table, is critical The eyes of Naama, Liri, Daniela, Agam and Karina should haunt the decision-makers every day. They look at us and beg us to not look away. Do not overlook the fact they face cruel captivity.
Look at them. Look at them and fight for their freedom.