The recent statements and testimonies of the Israeli settlers captured and released by Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades upon their arrival in the occupied Palestinian territories caused a stir in Israeli public opinion.

The released captive's words about the good treatment she received in Gaza led to "Hamas making gains when it comes to public opinion," Israeli media said Tuesday.

"The kidnapped woman, Yocheved Lifschitz, stood in front of the cameras after being released yesterday from Hamas captivity and provided a wide-ranging statement, announcing that she ate the same food that Hamas fighters ate... bread with white cheese, cream cheese, and cucumbers, and she took her medications," an Israeli Channel 12 correspondent reported.

"Many questions continue to arise, especially regarding her positive words about Hamas and their care for her and their provision of medications, while on the other hand, we hear criticism from the political and partisan sides because there is no one by her side," he added.

"For the first time, this is happening on live TV, in contrast to what happens on social media, and it's good that we heard it, but this could have been handled very differently," Israeli Channel 12 political correspondent Yaron Abraham said.

The journalist criticized the government's shortcomings in monitoring the situation. "Someone could have reached out to her, but this didn't happen, not from the committee for missing persons and prisoners, not from the Prime Minister's office, nor from any official party, and they could have told her what she was allowed to say and what she was not allowed to say."

 Facing a new dilemma

He also wondered, "I don't know what the story is, and personally, I find it surprising. Is Yocheved story a special case of good treatment by Hamas, and is that the reason for her release? Did Hamas plan all of this in advance, meaning treating her well, so that she can commend their treatment of her?"

"Although we cannot be certain that all Israeli captives held by Hamas are receiving the same treatment now, the image is clear of an 85-year-old woman emerging from Hamas captivity and talking about how she was allowed to eat and how her medications were cared for. It's evident that Hamas has scored positive points, so we must learn from this event and not be too hasty. We are facing a new dilemma."

Israeli captive Yocheved Lifshitz, who was released by the Qassam Brigades yesterday, said that the Al-Qassam Brigades were very friendly towards them, took care of them, and provided them with medicine.

During the press conference held in a hospital in "Tel Aviv", she was asked why she shook hands with a member of the Hamas movement, she said it was because "They treated us very well."

Footage from al-Qassam Brigades' release of two captured elderly Israeli settlers.

One can clearly see the disparity in the treatment of captives and prisoners between the #Palestinian Resistance and the Israeli occupation, respectively. pic.twitter.com/JbcyJOeH2F

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 23, 2023

She added that the first thing the resistance fighters told them was that they were people who "believed in the Quran and would not harm them", adding that they would get the same treatment the resistance members were getting. 

She said that each of the five hostages in her group was looked after by a doctor, adding that there was also a paramedic who kept track of the medications.

'Mistake'

On the other hand, the Israeli Kan channel quoted sources from the Israeli public relations office saying that "allowing Yocheved Lifshitz (the released captive) to make a direct statement was a mistake."

Releasing Lifshitz comes after the Hamas movement accused the Israeli occupation of assassinating Palestinian prisoner and senior Hamas movement member Omar Hamza Draghma on Monday while on administrative detention in "Israel's" "Megiddo" prison.

Draghma, the 58-year-old leader from Tubas, was arrested alongside his son at the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, according to Palestinian sources, as part of a detention campaign led by the Israeli Occupation Forces across the West Bank.q

Last week, Abu Obeida revealed that the Resistance is holding captives of different nationalities, adding that there was no opportunity to verify their identities amid Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, vowing to keep them safe and treat them well, keeping in mind the indiscriminate Israeli strikes and shelling on Gaza.

He called on all the countries to warn their citizens against fighting alongside the Israeli army, confirming that the Resistance would release foreign prisoners "if the necessary conditions are met."