Released hostages Liri Albag and Agam Berger presented a special award to Prof. Noa Elikim-Raz, who treated them after their return from Gaza, at the second annual Israel Hayom International Women's Day gala event on Wednesday. The emotional ceremony, held in the presence of publisher Dr. Miriam Adelson, honored women making exceptional contributions across various fields amid Israel's ongoing hostage crisis.
During the evening, recognition awards were presented to women for their exceptional contributions in national resilience, military and security, business sector, sports and culture, and healthcare. In the healthcare category, one honoree was Prof. Noa Eliakim-Raz, director of the Returnees Department at Beilinson Hospital, who provided care for hostages released during the first exchange deal with Hamas in November 2023, as well as female captives who returned in the most recent agreement, including Liri Albag and Agam Berger. Both women attended the gala and personally presented Prof. Eliakim-Raz with her award.
In an emotional moment, Prof. Eliakim-Raz embraced the former captives she had treated and said: "The stage belongs to them and their remarkable families. It belongs to the proud grandmothers of [Kibbutz] Nir Oz, who walked into our department after 50 days in the most horrific place imaginable... to these extraordinary women who demonstrated resourcefulness, courage, and an incredible friendship that teaches us so much. They are the true inspiration – truly, the stage is theirs," she said, referring to the gala's theme.
Regarding the ongoing negotiations for the next phase of hostage releases, she added: "The first thing we did after they left the department was prepare it for new arrivals. Everyone must do whatever they can to make this happen."
Dr. Ayelet Levy-Shachar, mother of Naama Levy who was also released from Hamas captivity and is currently in Washington as part of a delegation of released hostages meeting with US President Donald Trump, addressed Adelson directly in her remarks.
"Your involvement behind the scenes to advance the deal was decisive. I thank you deeply," she said. "Our struggle is far from over. There are still hostages in Gaza, and we remain committed to working tirelessly until they all return home. This is our moral obligation as a society, as a people, as one large family."
She continued, "As a mother, as a physician and sports doctor, and as someone involved in promoting women's sports, I believe in women's power to lead, influence, and transform reality. This conference provides abundant testimony to our collective strength. Throughout history, women leaders have acted and raised their voices in ways that have shaped our world.
"We must work together, women and men alike, to secure the return of all hostages and build a better future," she emphasized.
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker whose name was not included in the first stage of the current exchange agreement, also addressed the audience to thunderous applause. Visibly moved by the moment, she stated she was "trying to summon what little energy remains in my body, in my soul, in hope and faith until we succeed in bringing everyone home."
"Over the past seventeen months, I've discovered inner strength I never knew existed," she added. "Throughout my life, I've fought to ensure my children received the very best possible. I wanted to give them the whole world, and then in a single day, my world shattered completely. My beloved son Matan was kidnapped in his pajamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz where he lived.
"As a mother, you can raise, educate, feed, bathe, and work multiple jobs daily, do everything right – and in one day, your child is kidnapped to Gaza and your world collapses. I stand here today not only as Matan's mother, but as a fighting woman," she declared.
Addressing Dr. Adelson directly, Zangauker said: "Miriam is leading the most important struggle in our nation's history. Thank you, Miriam, thank you for who you are. From this stage, I permit myself to speak in my name and on behalf of all women in Israel wherever they may be: we will not be silent, we will not surrender, and we will not stop until we bring everyone home," she concluded.
