Tel Aviv
In a harrowing account of captivity, the family of Eitan Yahalomi, the 12-year-old who recently gained freedom during a humanitarian truce in Gaza, revealed the grim ordeal he endured. Eitan, held by Hamas, was subjected to watching horrifying scenes of the militant group’s assault on the Jewish nation. Eitan’s aunt, Deborah Cohen, disclosed to reporters that the captors treated the hostages, including children, poorly. Upon reaching Gaza, Eitan faced physical abuse from everyone. The family had initially believed that hostages, especially children, were treated well, but the reality proved otherwise. Concerns escalate as Eitan’s father, Ohed Yahalomi, remains in Hamas captivity, still recovering from injuries sustained in a gun battle on October 7. The videos Eitan was forced to watch were captured by Hamas members using helmet cameras and the phones of deceased victims. These distressing visuals were live-streamed on social media platforms aligned with Hamas’s ideology. Since the truce began on November 24, Hamas has released 81 hostages, primarily women and children. Simultaneously, Israel has released 180 Palestinians, predominantly women and minors, some detained without charges. According to Israeli authorities, 153-166 individuals, including Israelis and foreign nationals, remain captive in Gaza.
