Freed Israeli hostage says she endured ‘psychological warfare’ during 50 days of Hamas captivity

After the ordeal of her 50 days of captivity by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, Israeli citizen Avera Mangisto said her captors subjected her to “psychological warfare” to break her down. At her own request, she also said she was placed in solitary confinement to protect her from her captors. The ordeal was a traumatic experience for Mangisto, who is currently undergoing psychological treatment to recover from the experience. Mangisto said the captors routinely humiliated her, refused her requests for contact with family members, and threatened her with physical harm. “The guards told me, ‘If you or your family try to escape, we will kill you.’ It was like psychological warfare.” Mangisto was released in October 2018 when Hamas agreed to a prisoner exchange with the Israeli government. She returned to Israel to a hero’s welcome. She has since become an advocate for victims of terrorist attacks and is working to raise awareness of the plight of civilians enduring the conflict between Israel and Hamas.