Israeli Hostage Pleads for Release of Fellow Captives After Escape
On October 7, 2023, Ohad Ben Ami experienced a harrowing ordeal when he was captured during an attack on his community in Kibbutz Be’eri, Israel. As alarms sounded, he and his wife sought refuge in their home’s safe room, only to realize they were facing a severe threat. Ben Ami later described the moment of his capture, saying, “I was sure I’m going to be dead.” Despite his fears, he was taken alive and would spend the next 491 days as a hostage in Gaza.
During his captivity, Ben Ami endured dire conditions. He was moved between various locations, including apartments that lacked basic necessities like running water and functional toilets. “The conditions were very, very bad,” he recalled, noting the constant threat from Israeli airstrikes. His situation worsened as he was transferred to the Hamas tunnel network, where light was scarce, food was limited, and sanitation was nearly non-existent.
Ben Ami shared that he was occasionally held with other hostages, including his wife, Raz Ben Ami, who was later released in an exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. He described the desperate struggle for food among the captives, saying, “All the time, we are hungry.” The limited rations forced them to divide meager portions, further exacerbating their physical decline.
Despite the grim circumstances, Ben Ami found solace in brief glimpses of the outside world. “They [Hamas] let us see television 15 minutes once a month … so we saw that the people in Israel are fighting for us,” he explained. This connection to his homeland provided him with hope, even as his captors attempted to undermine his faith in the Israeli government’s commitment to securing the hostages’ release.
In February 2024, Ben Ami was released as part of a hostage and prisoner exchange, but he remains deeply concerned for the 48 other hostages still in captivity. “I love my country, and I love the people, but our government is disconnected,” he stated. Ben Ami expressed feelings of abandonment, stressing the need for concerted efforts to secure the release of all hostages.
As negotiations continue in Egypt aimed at facilitating the release of remaining captives, Ben Ami’s hope persists. “I cannot live until they come back,” he said. “I’m still a hostage. I’m a free man, but not in my soul.” He called for all parties involved to come together and find a resolution that allows for the safe return of the hostages while promoting recovery for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Ben Ami’s story highlights not only the personal toll of war but also the complex dynamics of the ongoing conflict. As discussions progress, the plight of those still held captive remains a pressing concern for families and communities affected by the violence.
