Full Breakdown
Former Gaza Hostage Elkana Bohbot Welcomes Baby Daughter Less Than a Year After Release
8/29/2026, 12:40:27 AM
Newborn Arrival Marks Milestone for Former Hostage
Former Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbot and his wife Rivka announced the birth of their second child, a baby girl, on a Friday Instagram post. The family shared a hospital photo accompanied by Psalm 100, a psalm of thanksgiving. The newborn joins their son Re’em, who was three years old when Bohbot was abducted and five upon his return.
Background: Capture, Captivity, and Release
Bohbot, a 37-year-old producer, was seized at the Nova music festival during the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023. He spent 738 days in tunnels beneath Gaza before being freed on October 13, 2025, as part of a hostage-release agreement. After his return, Bohbot published a memoir titled *738 Days in Hamas Captivity* and began rebuilding his family life.
Official Reactions
President Isaac Herzog posted on X/Twitter, calling the birth “the real victory” and wishing the family “tranquility, happiness, health, and love.” Both statements were shared publicly following the Instagram announcement.
Family Reflections
Rivka previously wrote, “Our story is not yet over; it continues to grow,” expressing optimism about their future after the trauma of captivity. The couple’s public sharing of the birth underscores their ongoing recovery and the rebuilding of normalcy after more than two years of separation and hardship.
Verbatim Quote
“Our story is not yet over; it continues to grow,” — Rivka
