jfid – Danielle Aloni, an Israeli mother recently released from Hamas captivity with her five-year-old daughter Emilia, wrote a thank-you letter to her captors for treating them well during the seven weeks in Gaza.
The letter was published by Hamas on Monday, but its authenticity is still questioned by the Zionists.
In the letter, originally written in Hebrew and later translated into Arabic, Hamas claims that Aloni wrote: “To the generals who accompanied us in the past few weeks… I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the extraordinary humanity you showed to me and my daughter Emilia.”
“You were like parents to her, inviting her into your rooms whenever she wanted,” the letter continues. “She left feeling that you are all her friends, and not just friends, but very, very good friends.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you for the many hours of caregiving,” the letter states again.
In the letter, Aloni is also presumed to thank Hamas for “giving her candies, fruits, and anything available even when there wasn’t enough.”
“My daughter feels like she is the queen of Gaza,” the letter says, adding that Emilia will not leave Gaza with “psychological trauma,” despite witnessing the Hamas-led massacre on October 7 and seven weeks as a hostage.
Danielle and Emilia were part of the extended family held by Hamas while visiting her sister, Sharon Aloni-Cunio, in Kibbutz Nir Oz. The entire family, including Sharon, her husband David Cunio, and their twin children Emma and Yuli, is still detained in Gaza.
Aloni and her young daughter were visiting her sister, Sharon Aloni-Cunio, who was also held captive with her husband David Cunio and their three-year-old twin children, Emma and Yuli. Sharon Aloni-Cuinio and her twin children were released from captivity on Monday, but David remains in captivity.
Danielle’s letter has widely circulated in Arab and Middle Eastern media, including Anadolu, Al-Jazeera, and others. The letter has received diverse reactions from the Israeli public, with some considering it a sign of respect to Hamas, while others see it as a sign of fear and psychological pressure.
However, whether the letter was genuinely written by Aloni voluntarily, or if she was forced to write it, or even if she is the actual author, remains unconfirmed.
There is no confirmation from Aloni herself. She has not given any interviews to the media since her release on Friday.
Some pro-Zionist analysts view the letter as a Hamas propaganda effort to portray themselves as civilized and moral, while simultaneously pressuring Israel to release more Palestinian prisoners in a hostage exchange.
On the contrary, some human rights activists argue that the letter indicates that Hamas is not entirely cruel and inhumane, suggesting the possibility of dialogue and reconciliation between the two parties.
However, the public perceives the letter as genuine, as Hamas has no track record of mistreating its captives. Many Israeli accusations against Hamas or Israeli propaganda towards Hamas often fail to portray Hamas as a cruel military organization.
Meanwhile, Aloni’s family and friends express relief and joy at her release but also concern and sadness for the fate of other captives still held by Hamas.
The content of the letter is as follows:
23/11/2023
To the generals who accompanied me in the past few weeks, it seems we will part ways tomorrow. However, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the unexpected kindness you showed to my daughter, Emilia.
You played the role of parents to her, always inviting her into your rooms whenever she wanted. Emilia acknowledges the feeling that you are not just friends but truly good friends.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the ample time you spent as companions. Thanks for your patience with her, indulging her with candies and fruits, and everything you provided even when not always available.
Children shouldn’t be in a military environment, but thanks to you and other kind people we encountered on this journey, my daughter feels like a queen in Gaza and generally sees herself as the center of the world.
We didn’t meet anyone during this long journey, either from the military or leaders, except those who treated Emilia with gentleness, full of love, and compassion.
I will be forever grateful because Emilia will not leave here with haunting trauma. I will remember the kindness you showed here, despite facing a difficult situation and heavy losses in Gaza.
Danielle Aloni
The letter has also sparked varied reactions on social media, with some users condemning Hamas as a terrorist organization brainwashing and manipulating captives, while others express sympathy and appreciation for Aloni’s courageous and empathetic stance.
The authenticity of the letter may never be revealed, but what is certain is that the letter has highlighted the tragic and complex story of the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and caused immeasurable suffering on both sides.
However, the letter feels alive, written with care and sincere wording. Combined with the attitudes of the other captives upon release, it seems like parting from a meeting with a meaningful friend. The smiles of the captives do not appear forced.
