Full Breakdown
Insights from Former Hostage Elkana Bohbot on His Captivity by Hamas
12/29/2025, 8:00:28 PM
Captivity Experience and Psychological Torture
Elkana Bohbot, a former hostage released from Hamas captivity, has shared harrowing details about his experience during his two-year ordeal. Kidnapped on October 7, 2023, from the Nova music festival, Bohbot described the psychological abuse inflicted by his captors, particularly targeting his family. He revealed that Hamas operatives falsely informed him that his mother had died and that his wife, Rivka, had left him. This manipulation was aimed at exploiting his emotional vulnerabilities. “They made sure to humiliate me,” Bohbot stated, recounting a moment when a captor expressed a desire for his son, Re’em, to die.
Staged Propaganda and Escape Attempts
In an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, Bohbot disclosed that his captors staged a mock suicide video, where he and another hostage were coerced into appearing as if they were attempting to take their own lives. “They drew blood from our hands and beat us so that we would be injured, to simulate a suicide scene,” he explained. This video was never released by Hamas. Bohbot also recounted a failed escape plan during his first week in captivity, which involved overpowering the terrorists while they were praying. However, the plan was thwarted when he and other hostages were moved to a tunnel, where escape was impossible.
Life After Release
Two months post-release, Bohbot is navigating the challenges of reintegration into society. He described the ongoing emotional struggle of reconnecting with his son, who had not had a father figure for two years. “I manage to enjoy myself and see the good, but it’s still not complete,” he reflected on his current state. Bohbot expressed concerns for his family's well-being, stating, “My mother is sick and this is another battle.” He emphasized his desire to create a safe home for his children in Israel.
Criticism of Captors' Tactics
Bohbot's accounts highlight the extreme psychological tactics employed by Hamas, which included physical abuse and forced exposure to propaganda depicting violence against Israeli soldiers. He described the conditions in captivity as akin to being buried alive, stating, “In the tunnels, there is no difference between you and a dead person.” His testimony underscores the brutal reality faced by hostages and the long-lasting impact of such trauma.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They told me that my mother died and that my wife had left me,” — Elkana Bohbot, Former Hostage
- “As hard as it was physically, it was even harder mentally,” — Elkana Bohbot, Former Hostage
- “I talked to God, I said: Free me from this suffering, give me a bullet in the head, just don’t let them lynch me,” — Elkana Bohbot, Former Hostage
- “I just told them, tell me what to do - explain to me what I’m supposed to do - and they had no answers.” — Elkana Bohbot, Former Hostage
Bohbot's revelations provide a chilling insight into the psychological warfare used by Hamas against hostages, illustrating the profound effects of such experiences on individuals and their families.
