By: Fern Sidman

In a deeply personal and emotional meeting earlier today, five Israeli women who survived captivity at the hands of Hamas met privately with international actress and advocate Gal Gadot. As reported on Tuesday by Israel National News (INN), the encounter brought together Doron Steinbrecher, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Moran Stella Yanai, and Ilana Gritzewsky — each of whom endured unimaginable trauma in captivity — for a candid discussion about their experiences, their ongoing recovery, and their urgent call to action for the remaining hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

The meeting, which took place behind closed doors, marked a rare moment of both reflection and advocacy. According to Israel National News report, the survivors used the opportunity to recount their personal stories of suffering and resilience, offering Gadot, herself a former Israeli soldier and globally recognized figure, a firsthand account of the horrors they faced while in captivity.

Among the most poignant messages shared during the gathering was a collective plea from the women to ensure that the plight of the hostages — both those who have returned and those who remain in Hamas captivity — stays at the forefront of public consciousness. The survivors emphasized the critical importance of international advocacy and media attention in securing the safe return of the remaining hostages, whose fate remains uncertain amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.

“Don’t stop. We must keep talking and keep them in people’s hearts and minds,” urged Doron Steinbrecher during the conversation. Her words captured the urgency felt by many in Israel and abroad, reflecting a shared belief that silence or waning interest could have dire consequences for the approximately 50 hostages — both women and men — still believed to be held in captivity.

Gal Gadot, who has consistently used her platform to advocate for Israeli hostages and victims of terrorism, expressed her profound admiration for the strength and resilience demonstrated by the survivors. According to the information provided in the Israel National News report, Gadot told the women, “You’ve all been through incredibly difficult things, and I can’t believe you’re standing here today, continuing your lives and fighting for others.” Her comments highlighted a sentiment echoed by many who have followed the unfolding hostage crisis — that the survivors embody both personal courage and a collective spirit of endurance.

Gadot’s voice has been among the most prominent in the international arena speaking out on behalf of the Israeli hostages. The actress has repeatedly called attention to the humanitarian crisis and the need for immediate action to secure the hostages’ release. In her remarks today, she reinforced her commitment to the cause, stating, “Watching you carry the weight for those still in captivity — you are an inspiration, and you are strength. I hope with all my heart they all come home soon.”

The meeting also served as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis facing Israel since the Hamas-led massacre of October 7. Israel National News covered the aftermath of that attack, which resulted in unprecedented civilian casualties and the abduction of hundreds of Israelis and foreign nationals. While many hostages have since been freed through negotiations and rescue operations, dozens remain in Gaza under dire conditions — a situation that continues to weigh heavily on the Israeli public and its leaders.

For the survivors, the personal stakes are immeasurable. Many of those who returned from captivity bear not only physical scars but also profound emotional and psychological wounds. Yet, despite their suffering, they have emerged as powerful voices in the campaign to keep attention focused on those still missing. Their testimonies, shared widely through outlets such as Israel National News, have become a vital component of both domestic and international efforts to pressure Hamas and its supporters.

The survivors’ determination resonates in a country still grappling with the aftershocks of terror and war. Many Israeli families continue to hold vigils, organize awareness campaigns, and engage with international human rights organizations to advocate for the hostages’ release. The meeting with Gadot, covered in detail by Israel National News (INN), reflects a broader mobilization of Israeli society — from public figures to private citizens — united by a shared demand for justice and the safe return of every captive.

Gal Gadot’s participation in this advocacy effort holds particular significance given her global platform. As the Israel National News report noted, the actress’s international stature allows her to amplify the voices of those who might otherwise struggle to be heard beyond Israel’s borders. Her willingness to engage directly with survivors not only lends visibility to their cause but also humanizes a crisis that often risks being reduced to statistics or political rhetoric.

Throughout the meeting the atmosphere was one of shared resolve. The survivors spoke candidly about their experiences, the moments of fear and hope they endured, and the profound responsibility they now feel to speak on behalf of those who cannot. Their message was clear: the fight to bring the hostages home must not be allowed to fade from public view.

The INN report emphasized the unique intersection of personal narrative and national duty evident in the survivors’ advocacy. Their stories, marked by suffering but defined by resilience, serve as a powerful reminder of the human stakes involved in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. They also underscore that the battle for the hostages’ freedom is not merely a political issue but a deeply moral one that transcends borders and ideologies.

As the meeting concluded, Gadot reaffirmed her personal commitment to continue speaking out, telling the women that their courage inspires her to advocate even more passionately for the hostages’ release. The survivors, in turn, expressed gratitude for her support and for the attention she continues to bring to their cause.

For now, the fates of the remaining hostages hang in the balance. Yet, thanks to the efforts of survivors like Doron Steinbrecher, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Moran Stella Yanai, and Ilana Gritzewsky — and the advocacy of figures such as Gal Gadot — their stories remain in the public eye. This gathering was more than a symbolic gesture; it was a call to action for a global audience to remember, to speak out, and to stand in solidarity with the victims of terror.

In the words of Steinbrecher, as echoed in the Israel National News report: “We must keep talking and keep them in people’s hearts and minds.” It is a message that resonates far beyond the walls of the private meeting — a call for vigilance, for empathy, and for unwavering commitment to bringing every hostage home.