Released Israeli hostages families reveal horrific details of Hamas captivity

Yesterday families of Hamas captivity Israeli survivors Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy, who were released yesterday, held press conferences at their respective hospitals. Ohad Ben Ami’s daughters, Yulie & Ella, spoke at Ichilov Hospital, while at Sheba Hospital, Michael Levy and Sharon Sharabi represented their brothers Or and Eli.

Michael Levy, brother of Or Levy told media that: “Yesterday, my brother Or returned to us after 491 days of hell. For 491 days, he was held captive in Hamas tunnels, cut off from the world, his life, and his family. Yesterday, after a year and four months, I saw my brother again. I hugged him, but he wasn’t the same Or who left home on October 7th. He came back in poor physical condition. Anyone who saw the pictures and videos couldn’t ignore it. For 16 months, he was hungry, barefoot and in constant fear that everyday can be his last.

The hardest blow was yesterday when Or discovered that Einav, the love of his life, was murdered on that terrible day. For 491 days, he held onto hope that he would return to her. But then, after everything he went through, he finally met Mogi, his little son. A three-year-old boy who hadn’t seen his father for 16 months! When they met, Almog asked him: “Dad, why did it take you so long to come back?” What three-year-old child should have to ask their father such a question?

President Trump, we owe you our deepest gratitude for bringing my brother back home. You made this deal possible. We need your continued support, together with the Israeli government, to take the brave steps necessary for the next phases of the deal. Our hopes rest with you to help unite all the remaining families with their loved ones who are still in captivity.

Or, Ohad, and Eli should be our wake-up call. Every moment there is critical! For the remaining hostages, every second can be their last! Or’s return is a miracle, but we can’t rest until every single one of them is back with their families,” he concluded.

Yulie Ben Ami, daughter of Ohad Ben Ami said that: “Yesterday we got our father back. He lost much of his weight but not his spirit. My father is strong and I admire him. He survived hell.

The return of the hostages yesterday leaves no room for doubt! They all must return! We will not stop fighting until the last hostage comes home.

I want to thank President Trump and his special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff who helped us secure this deal. I want to thank the people of Israel and all the amazing people around the world who have been there for us this past year. I want to thank to the bereaved families whose loved ones sacrificed their lives, and to the soldiers who fought so my father could be home. We will not give up and will continue to fight until everyone is home. We must continue until all phases of the deal are done – and save our people,” she added.

Sharon Sharabi, brother of the late Yossi and of Eli who has returned from captivity addressed media that: “On Saturday, Eli, Ohad, and Or returned to us. They survived extremely harsh conditions in captivity and made it home. This is the victory of the Israeli people – that we brought them back. I want to address Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – at this time, make brave decisions. These are critical moments for saving lives. Every moment that passes, every second could save lives from Hamas tunnels, from this cruel enemy that has massacred us since October 7th.

On Eli’s behalf, I can tell you this struggle has touched everyone in Hamas’s hands – in the hands of a murderous terrorist organization without mercy. Eli, as you saw him, is the most urgent testament to the need to save lives in Israel and bring everyone home immediately,” he urged.

Ella Ben Ami, daughter of Ohad Ben Ami said that: “”My father endured horrors – we haven’t even begun to hear about or comprehend the hell he was in. Fortunately, we now have the rest of our lives with him. But back there, 76 hostages remain deep in Hamas tunnels, in darkness, in hell, under the control of terrorists responsible for October 7th. If previously my life’s mission was to convey the urgency of releasing the hostages, now that my father has returned, I understand it’s far worse than I ever imagined,” she added.