Former Gaza hostage Or Levy realized upon his launch that his spouse Einav was murdered by Hamas.
Former hostage Or Levy, who was held by Hamas for 491 days, opened up about his expertise in captivity, studying of his spouse’s homicide and his time with murdered American-Israeli former hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, in a CNN interview printed on Thursday.
“It’s exhausting to know how troublesome it’s to reside on one pita a day for 491 days … no human ought to reside like that,” Levy stated. “And for the individuals which might be nonetheless there, I do know these days had been even worse than what I’ve been by – and it’s scary.”
Returning to Almog and studying of Einav’s homicide
Upon his launch, Levy was in a position to return to his son Almog who was solely 2 years outdated when he final noticed his father. Nevertheless, Levy realized that his spouse Einav had been one among over 1200 victims murdered by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The younger mom was killed as terrorists flung grenades right into a bomb shelter.
When he was greeted by an IDF consultant on the day of his launch, he instantly requested about Einav.
“I requested her about my spouse. I advised her that I believe I do know, however I’m not 100% sure, and that I need to know,” Levy stated. “After which she advised me.”
Launched hostage Or Levy is reunite along with his household, 08/02/2025. (credit score: HAIM ZACH/GPO)
All through his captivity, Levy stated he was too afraid to ask his terrorist captor’s in regards to the standing of Einav regardless of his suspicions.
Time with Hersh Goldberg-Polin
He targeted his energies on returning to his son, a method he stated Goldberg-Polin had taught him.
“I bear in mind Hersh telling me this sentence … ‘He who has a ‘why’ can bear any ‘how’,’” Levy recalled.
When life within the tunnels turned too troublesome, he recounted how Goldberg-Polin would encourage him to think about returning to Almog.
Now 4, Levy feared that younger Almog wouldn’t bear in mind him – a concern that was put to relaxation when the 2 had been lastly reunited. Although, he defined now that he was tasked with the issue of explaining to Almog that his mom wouldn’t be returning.
“The story that we advised – that he is aware of – is {that a} huge bomb occurred and that sadly, mother is lifeless and I used to be taken to a far place, and other people had been making an attempt to get me dwelling,” Levy stated. “So he asks – he asks about his mother, about what occurred to her, about who brought on it? And he requested me about my wounds. He requested me once more, why didn’t I take him with me to this far place?”
Levy advised CNN how he shares tales of Einav continually and that he and his son take a look at her images.
Levy shared that whereas he’s now free, his ideas are nonetheless with the 50 remaining hostages in Hamas captivity.
“The truth that persons are nonetheless there haunts me within the evening,” Levy stated.
“I believe that nothing is price greater than getting these individuals dwelling,” Levy stated. “I do know that we have to push on to get a deal that will get everybody dwelling and end all the pieces. End all the pieces.”
