Yazidi woman rescued from Gaza after 10 years in captivity

A Yazidi woman who spent nearly a decade in captivity has been freed from Gaza in a dramatic rescue operation, marking the end of a long and harrowing ordeal that began during the rise of ISIS in 2014.

The woman, whose identity has been withheld for her protection, was among the thousands of Yazidis captured by ISIS militants in northern Iraq, many of whom were sold into slavery or forced into marriage.

The rescue, coordinated by international humanitarian organizations in collaboration with local authorities, has brought a glimmer of hope to the Yazidi community, which has endured immense suffering over the past decade.

The woman was discovered in Gaza after being sold multiple times across militant networks in the Middle East, ultimately ending up in the hands of extremists in the densely populated Palestinian territory.

Her rescue came as part of a wider international effort to locate and liberate Yazidi women still in captivity. The Yazidi community, an ethno-religious minority, was targeted by ISIS in what the United Nations has recognized as a genocide. Men were executed en masse, while women and children were subjected to systematic rape, forced conversion, and slavery.

The woman’s journey to freedom was fraught with danger. After enduring years of abuse, she was reportedly passed through a network of traffickers before being taken to Gaza. Efforts to locate her were complicated by the region’s ongoing conflict, but recent diplomatic negotiations allowed humanitarian workers to safely extract her.

“We were constantly working to locate and rescue as many Yazidi women as possible,” said Nadia Murad, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Yazidi survivor who has been advocating for the release of captives.

“This rescue is a reminder that many are still missing, and the trauma they face doesn’t end when they are freed.”

The woman is currently receiving medical treatment and psychological support, with plans to reunite her with her surviving family members in Iraq. While her physical safety is now assured, experts emphasize that the long road to recovery, both mentally and emotionally, lies ahead.

“Years of captivity have deep, lasting effects,” said Dr. Hanan Elias, a trauma counselor specializing in survivors of war.

“We are only beginning to understand the extent of the damage these women have suffered. Rebuilding their lives will take time and comprehensive support.”

The rescue highlights the ongoing plight of thousands of Yazidis still unaccounted for. Though ISIS has been largely defeated in Iraq, many of their captives remain missing, and their whereabouts are often unknown. Yazidi leaders have repeatedly called on the international community to continue efforts to locate the missing and hold those responsible for war crimes accountable.

The woman’s story is a testament to the resilience of Yazidi survivors, but also a stark reminder of the international community’s obligation to ensure justice and reparations for the atrocities committed during the ISIS reign of terror.

As the rescued woman begins her journey of recovery, Yazidi activists continue to advocate for broader international action to reunite families and bring lasting justice to their community.

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