Maya Regev, who was held hostage by Hamas for 50 days after being kidnapped from the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023, has described alleged cruelty and mistreatment by medical staff in Gaza. Regev, then 21, recounted that after being shot by terrorists, her left leg's bone was crushed, leaving her foot hanging by flesh. She stated that for eight days, she endured this untreated, with a bullet and infection in her leg, before being taken to Al-Shifa hospital.
At the hospital, Regev alleges that doctors removed the bullet and reattached her foot, but at a 90-degree angle, resulting in a significantly shortened leg. She described this as potentially deliberate, stating, "Of course it was on purpose. He didn't have to do it. He didn't need to do it." She further claimed that medical staff unnecessarily cut her skin and poured alcohol, chlorine, and vinegar into her wounds, causing her to scream in pain while they watched. She also reported that armed individuals, including a terrorist, were present in her hospital room and that her food was controlled by an Arab woman who was constantly with her.
Regev, along with her younger brother Itay and friend Omer Shem Tov, was at the Nova Festival when the attack occurred. Thousands of festivalgoers were killed or taken hostage during the October 7 attacks. Regev and her brother Itay were released in November 2023 during a ceasefire, but Omer Shem Tov was held for 505 days.
During her captivity, Regev and her brother managed to exchange notes, offering each other support. She described the mental fortitude required to survive, noting, "You have to be strong mentally so you can survive physically." She was eventually released as part of a ceasefire deal and reunited with her family. However, her recovery was lengthy, involving over a year in the hospital, intravenous antibiotics, and 10 operations due to deep, life-threatening infections, including one inside her bone. While she has regained the ability to walk, she can no longer run and requires regular blood checks.
Regev is among several survivors sharing their experiences at an immersive exhibition in London detailing the events of October 7. A report by the Israeli women's rights NGO, The Civil Commission, has also detailed allegations of sexual abuse, rape, and mutilation against hostages. Regev stated that her ordeal has profoundly changed her perspective on life and her trust in people, but she also recognizes the good that exists in the world.