In yet another moment of gratitude, Jewish Federations welcome Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami home after a horrifying 491 days in Hamas captivity. At the same time, we are appalled and saddened by their medical condition and the serious abuse and malnutrition they have suffered at the hands of their cruel captors.

 

Or Levy, 34, and his wife, Eynav, had just arrived at the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023. Terrorists killed Eynav and kidnapped Or. Upon his release, Or is expected to be reunited with his son, Almog, age 3.  

 

Eli Sharabi, 52, was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Beeri on October 7, 2023. Eli’s wife and daughters were murdered, and his brother Yossi was abducted and killed. 

 

Ohad Ben Ami, 56, spent two birthdays in Hamas captivity. A dual Israel-German citizen, he was shot in the shoulder and abducted from Beeri. His wife, Raz Ben Ami, was also kidnapped, and released in November 2023. She then became a fierce advocate for the release of the remaining hostages. 

 

Each hostage release from Gaza brings a great sense of comfort and anticipation of the release of the remaining 76 hostages. We continue to pray that will happen in the coming weeks so that our community can begin the healing process.