Author's Captivity in Gaza

Eitan's entire family was kidnapped on October 7th.

Eitan's mother and sisters escaped from their captors' motorbike.

Eitan's father was still held by Hamas.

Person maintained optimism for others' sake during captivity.

The person and others were told to get ready to go home on November 24th.

The person experienced mental and physical struggles, and their home was lost.

Person lost family, friends, and community in the kibbutz.

Hostages faced risks due to lack of resources despite time spent in captivity.

The author, a former hostage, advocates for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and highlights the human cost of the conflict. Their primary goal is to bring attention to the plight of the hostages and call for their safe return.

The author emphasizes that hostages are not just statistics or political pawns, but individuals with families, hopes, and fears. They are human beings suffering in captivity.

The author describes the ongoing conflict as causing immense suffering and destruction. They emphasize the emotional and psychological toll it takes on both hostages and their families.

The author's personal experience as a hostage in Gaza adds credibility and emotional weight to their plea for the release of others. It demonstrates the impact of the conflict on ordinary people.

The author calls upon negotiating teams, mediators, world leaders, and others to prioritize the safe return of the hostages. They believe collective action is necessary to resolve the situation.

Despite being abducted, Yaffa remained strong and refused to show fear to her captors. She kept her composure for her children and for the sake of resilience. This was important to her as she believed showing fear would only give her captors satisfaction.

Twelve-year-old Eitan Yahalomi, held captive for 16 days, displayed exceptional compassion by expressing concern for Yaffa's health, demonstrating a caring and empathetic nature.

Eitan was kept separated from his family for a significant time during his captivity. He was unaware of his family's fate, adding to the psychological burden of his situation. His worry for his father, mother, and siblings highlights the anxieties experienced by those in captivity.

Tamir, Yaffa's grandson, left his wife and children in their family safe room to defend their community. This selfless act led to his abduction and eventual death, emphasizing the tragic costs of conflict.

During her early days of solitary confinement, Yaffa found solace and strength in reliving memories from her past. This act of revisiting cherished moments provided her with a sense of connection to her identity and helped her endure difficult times.

Yaffa's captivity was characterized by various changes in location and living conditions. She was first held in a sealed room, unable to see any light or have a sense of day or night. Later, she was moved to another location, possibly a hospital, and finally shared a room with other captives.

During Yaffa's captivity, there were times where food was scarce, leaving the captives, including children, to suffer from hunger. This highlights the physical hardship and deprivation faced by hostages.

The experience of captivity brought together Yaffa and her fellow hostages, allowing them to share difficult experiences and offer support to one another. It highlights the formation of bonds in the face of challenging life events.