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IDF Manpower Chief Recalls Hostage’s Ordeal at Southern Command Memorial Event
By Drooid · · How we work
Southern Command Memorial Event Highlights Hostage Experience
Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Manpower Directorate, addressed thousands of soldiers at a battle-heritage and fallen-soldiers memorial in the Negev. Speaking to fighters, commanders, and female and male soldiers, he warned that the memory of the October 7 attacks must not fade and introduced former hostage Avinatan Or, who spent more than 700 days in Hamas captivity. Bar Kalifa recounted a harrowing episode Or described: a Hamas terrorist lifted a three-year-old child to Or’s face and ordered the child to spit on him, with the child’s attempts met by applause from surrounding captors.
Background: October 7 Attacks and Prolonged Captivity
The October 7 assault, in which Hamas militants entered Israel, triggered a large-scale conflict and led to the capture of dozens of civilians, including Or. After being beaten with a club and rocks, Or was forced into the Gaza tunnels for two years before his release. A homecoming for Or is scheduled for October 21, 2025, when he is expected to return to a crowd of supporters.
Official Statements & Responses
Bar Kalifa emphasized that the difference between Israelis and their attackers “probably begins in kindergarten,” urging soldiers to remember the cruelty of the October 7 perpetrators. He warned that forgetting the events could “overwhelm” the nation and stressed the need for resilience and vigilance. The chief also praised panel participants, describing them as “heroes” and “true heroes” who embody the nation’s resolve.
Verbatim Quote
- “He was covered in blood, his undershirt was soaked, and blood had congealed with mud on his face. He had just arrived inside the Strip, spending a few brief minutes above ground before descending into the dark tunnels for two years.” — Bar Kalifa
Impact and Anticipated Commemoration
By sharing Or’s testimony, Bar Kalifa aimed to reinforce collective memory among the troops and the broader public. The scheduled October 21, 2025 homecoming is intended to symbolize recovery and national solidarity, linking personal survival stories to the ongoing narrative of Israel’s response to the October 7 attacks.