The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the authority responsible for missing and kidnapped persons were surprised today (Tuesday) by the statement made by Yuhafed Lifshitz, the prisoner released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, according to sources in both authorities.

According to the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz," Lifshitz's statements, being a resident of Kibbutz Nirim Oz, regarding the medical treatment and good treatment she received from her captors Hamas, are also viewed politically as damaging to Israel's image and its advocacy efforts.

Sources in Netanyahu's office claimed that the words of the released prisoner at Ichilov Hospital today Tuesday caused a distortion of image "at a sensitive time," but added that it is not possible to control the behavior of prisoners and their relatives.

Meanwhile, Israeli experts described the press conference of the released hostage as "a disaster for Israel and a gain for Hamas," criticizing the decision to hold the press conference and noting the global media's coverage of her statements about "good treatment by Hamas members."

The public broadcasting agency "Kan" quoted Israeli public relations experts describing the decision to put Lifshitz in front of the cameras as "a mistake," pointing out that global media is now talking about "Hamas's kindness in attending to the needs of the hostages."

Columnist Edi Rothstein, in "Israel Hayom," described the interview as "a propaganda victory for Hamas."

He wrote: "What a brave and enlightened woman, the kind we thought they no longer make in Israel, and what a clumsy handling of the event... The truth is you don't need to be a public relations expert to know you can't hold a press conference like this live on television."

For her part, Dafna Leil from Channel 12 stated that what Lifshitz described about Hamas's treatment of her "is still very shocking," adding, "Anyone sensible should understand that the medical care she received was intended to keep the bargaining chips alive, not out of the goodness of their hearts."

Dana Weiss, the channel's correspondent, described the press conference as "a disaster."

Lifshitz, the elderly Israeli woman released by Hamas last night, said at the press conference after undergoing tests at a hospital in Tel Aviv that the group's militants ensured her protection and a doctor to treat her, and provided her with the medication she had been receiving in Israel.

Lifshitz, who is 85 years old, was one of two women released by Hamas late last night, bringing the total number of people still held by the group to 220.

She mentioned that a doctor visited her and confirmed that she and the other detainees were receiving the same type of medications they had been receiving in Israel.