Full Breakdown
Survivors of the Oct 7 Hamas Attack: Captivity, Release, and Ongoing Advocacy
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The Attack and Hostage Taking
On October 7 2023 Hamas militants launched a coordinated assault on southern Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people and abducting 251 civilians and soldiers. The raid struck kibbutzim, border towns and the Nova Music Festival, where dozens of attendees were taken to Gaza. The scale of the assault has been described as the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
Personal Testimonies of Captivity
Former hostages recount the extreme conditions they endured.
- “I was in complete darkness, I couldn't see anything, and I just went crazy,” — Shem Tov
- “There was some kind of red line that I cannot cross. I will just, I will not do it,” — Shem Tov
Keith Siegel, kidnapped with his wife Aviva, survived 484 days in tunnels, schools and private homes. He recalled the brutal entry of armed terrorists and the injuries they sustained:
- “Around 15 armed terrorists broke into our house and brutally forced us through the window… Aviva's knee was injured, her meniscus torn, my ribs broken… they shot at us, I was hit by a bullet,” — Keith Siegel.
Aviva Siegel, released after 51 days, spoke of lasting trauma and her sense of “luck” to have survived:
- “I came back and fought for Keith and tried to spread the truth… you don’t understand what you are standing for,” — Aviva Siegel.
Shoshan Haran, an agronomist and founder of the Fair Planet nonprofit, survived 50 days in above-ground homes used as human shields, noting that captors “don’t really care about who dies.”
Romi Gonen endured 471 days before her release, while Eli Sharabi spent 491 days in a tunnel before his release.
Release and Post-Release Advocacy
Hostage-for-hostage exchanges have gradually returned survivors to Israel. Shem Tov was freed after 505 days in captivity. Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were released together in January 2025. Avinatan Or is slated to return home later this year, according to a scheduled celebration.
Since their return, many survivors have become vocal advocates. Shem Tov travels to speak about the “dangerous narrative gap” he perceives in international coverage and has criticized the documentary *NAZA* for showing only one side of the war. Keith and Aviva Siegel continue campaigning for remaining hostages, while Eli Sharabi helped establish the Shalva Sharabi Family Center to aid families coping with trauma.
Official Responses and Calls for Inquiry
Retired Major-General Tal Russo, former commander of the IDF Southern Command, said the security collapse on October 7 remains “ununderstood” and urged the creation of a state commission of inquiry to prevent future failures:
- “Everything consists of internal investigations… It would have been better if this had happened closer to the event, but it will certainly improve things,” — Tal Russo
Film director Yuval Abraham, whose documentary *NAZA* was condemned by Shem Tov, acknowledged the October 7 massacre as “completely unjustified” while arguing that the film should not be used to justify civilian casualties in Gaza.
What’s Next
Tal Russo’s recommendation for a comprehensive state commission of inquiry remains a focal point of public debate. Survivors such as the Siegel couple, Shem Tov and others continue to speak at universities, community events and international forums, urging broader awareness of the hostage experience and pressing for accountability measures that could prevent a repeat of the October 7 catastrophe.