In a harrowing account of his ordeal, 12-year-old Eitan Yahalomi recounted the terrifying events he endured after being kidnapped by terrorists during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7. Over 1,200 lives were lost in this brutal assault, and Yahalomi was among the 240 people taken hostage. Recently freed during a truce, Yahalomi is now in Kibbutz Emek Hefer, still haunted by the trauma and worried about his father, Ohad, who remains captive.
Yahalomi's capture was violent and abrupt, as he was forcibly taken from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz and transported to Gaza on a motorcycle. His family narrowly escaped a similar fate. In Gaza, he faced brutal treatment from local Palestinians and his captors, who fed him lies about the annihilation of Israel and his kibbutz. Isolated at first, Yahalomi later met a friend among the hostages, with whom he tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy through simple activities like card games.
Freed 12-year-old hostage Eitan Yahalomi said Hamas terrorists told him Israel had been destroyed. They also allowed Palestinians to beat him.
ā Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) December 26, 2023
When Eitan or other children cried, they were threatened with a gun. His father, Ohad, is still in captivity. https://t.co/kYUCi7Fn5M pic.twitter.com/2yh3sCBUz0
His captors fed him minimally, often leaving him hungry and longing for the comfort of home-cooked meals. The psychological torment was incessant, with threats and misinformation designed to break his spirit. The hostages were abruptly informed of their release, a moment Yahalomi could hardly believe was real.
Returning to Israel, Yahalomi was overjoyed to reunite with his mother but remains deeply concerned for his father. Amid the ongoing IDF offensive against Hamas, he fears for the safety of his father and the other hostages still in captivity. As he adjusts to life in the quieter surroundings of Emek Hefer, Yahalomi faces the challenge of starting anew, both at school and in processing his traumatic experience.
Four terrorists entered the shelter and removed the family at gun point. Outside they encountered Ohad bleeding, and Bat Sheva tried to leave the baby with him so she'd have a chance of being saved. The terrorists handed her back the child and put the family on motorcycles. pic.twitter.com/ag3c086YK7
ā Yael Bar tur (@yaelbt) December 19, 2023
This tragic story underscores the dire situation faced by those still held captive and the urgent need for their safe return. Yahalomi's resilience in the face of such adversity is a testament to the unbreakable spirit of those affected by terrorism.
