"No One Will Silence Me Anymore": Former Hostage Romi Gonen Reclaims Her Voice After a Year in Captivity

Romi Gonen, a young woman whose face became a symbol of hope for many during the ongoing war, has finally shared the full, uncensored story of her survival after being held by terrorists in Gaza for 415 days. Her testimony, revealed in a special broadcast, provides a rare and agonizing look into the psychological and physical torture faced by those taken from the Nova music festival on October 7. Gonen’s story is not just one of tragedy, but of a fierce victory over those who sought to break her spirit. She now speaks openly about the sexual violence she suffered and the high-level psychological games played by Hamas leadership, declaring that she will no longer be silenced.

During the first 35 days of her captivity, Gonen was kept in total isolation above ground, enduring multiple instances of sexual harassment and physical violence at the hands of different men. She was eventually moved into the tunnel network where she was united with other young women, including Agam Berger, Liri Albag, and Emily Damari. "I just needed a hug," Gonen recalled of the moment she saw Agam. "I needed someone to hold me for a moment because for 35 days I was alone with no physical contact except for contact that was bad." She also described the heartbreaking moment the group was joined by sisters Ella and Dafna Elyakim, ages 8 and 15, who had witnessed the murder of their father.

One of the most startling revelations of Gonen’s testimony involves her direct contact with Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the commander of the Gaza Brigade and a top surviving leader of the terrorist organization. Haddad allegedly used Gonen as a human shield for a long period and even attempted to strike a deal with her. During the first hostage release deal in late 2023, he spoke to her over the phone, promising to put her at the top of the release list if she promised to "stay quiet" about what she had experienced. "I said of course, I didn't care, I just wanted to go home," Gonen said. However, her release did not come for another year. On the day she was finally freed, Haddad met her in person, asking if she remembered her promise.

Her return has also sparked intense political questions within Israel. Following the broadcast, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant admitted that the war cabinet was aware in real-time of the sexual abuse and the conditions faced by the female hostages left behind. This admission has led to painful questions about why it took 415 days for Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher to be brought home. Despite the trauma and the long road of rehabilitation ahead, Gonen remains defiant. "They often silenced this story and told me not to tell it," she said. "But now I am here, sitting in front of the camera, and no one will silence me anymore. I won."