The Hamas terror group has shared a new video, providing proof that Yosef Chaim Ochana and Elkana Bohbot, who were taken captive on October 7th, 2023, are still alive after 535 days in captivity. The Bohbot family permitted the release of the footage featuring their loved one, Elkana. In the video, Elkana criticizes the government and urges former hostages to put pressure on authorities for his release.
Elkana’s family expressed their deep distress: “For 535 days, Elkana has been enduring an unrelenting nightmare. The video shows just how dire his condition is, having lost a considerable amount of weight due to continuous hunger. He suffers from skin and respiratory issues, is asthmatic, and has not been exposed to sunlight for nearly a year and a half.”
They further stated: “This video highlights the urgent need for Elkana to return to his family, to his wife Rivka, and their son Ra’am David. Elkana is pleading for help, begging us not to forget him in the darkness of captivity.”
In their emotional plea, they added: “We appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Trump – please, think of this as if it were your own son, the father of your grandchild, waiting to see daylight, hearing IDF bombs, and living in constant terror for his life. Every day, Ra’am asks about his father. When will we tell him his father is coming home? This child is also trapped in a dark tunnel, held in captivity.”
The family concluded: “While the video provides proof that he is alive, we want Elkana home, and we want everyone to return safely! It’s time to bring an end to the suffering of the families and the entire nation, who all long for their safe return.”
In a related development, Yosef Haim’s aunt, Hannah Mastronov, shared with Ynet last month that the family had received a sign of life from him. She said the indication came after a recent hostage release. “We now have a clear indication that he is alive,” she confirmed. “We stayed out of the public eye up until now, but after the release on Shabbat, we decided to speak out. Our emotions are far from simple.”
Yosef Chaim Ohana, 24, from Kiryat Malachi, was taken while attending the Supernova Music Festival in Re’im. His mother revealed that he had been helping the wounded at the festival, assisting them to ambulances.
Elkana Bohbot, who recently turned 36, was also kidnapped from the same festival, where he was working.
On the anniversary of Elkana’s birth, his wife Rivka and mother Ruhama addressed the weekly rally in Tel Aviv: “Today is your birthday, and on behalf of all of us, I want to tell you – you are not alone, you are strong, and you are a survivor. You will endure. We pray for a miracle, that soon we will embrace you and never let go. Our little Ra’am David constantly speaks about you. He dreams of the day he can run into your arms again.”
“Unbelievably, we are now on day 533 of your captivity. We woke up this morning to the grim reality of the fighting resuming, and with the testimonies of those who have returned, we understand more deeply the dangers that the hostages face in this war. On this day, I want to appeal to the Israeli government, to all those in positions of power, and especially to the Prime Minister – do not forget about our hostages. We demand that you take immediate action to bring them home, before doing anything else. Happy birthday, my love. We are waiting for the day of your return – the second birthday, the day you come home to us.”
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