Hostage Survivor Avinatan Or Opposed Deal to Free Him

Hostage survivor Avinatan Or revealed in an interview with "Uvda" on Channel 12 that he held a firm stance against any deal to secure his release, even if it meant remaining captive. Or explained that during his time in Hamas captivity in Gaza, he believed it was crucial for Israel to emerge victorious from the war.

When asked if he opposed a deal that would have secured his freedom, Or affirmed his position. He reasoned that a broad release of terrorists in exchange for hostages would only lead to future abductions. He viewed a "all for all" negotiation as a surrender and preferred to stay captive until Hamas understood that hostages were not an unlimited bargaining chip.

Or recalled a personal moment on his 70th day in captivity, where he addressed God. He stated that despite not speaking to God for seven years, he had strived to honor his parents as commanded in the Torah, and now it was God's turn to fulfill the promise of long life.

Upon his return from captivity, Or described a powerful reunion with his parents. They expressed concern that he might be angry with them, but he immediately reassured them, stating he was not angry and was proud of their efforts to secure his release. Or also reflected on his resilience during captivity, attributing it to a basic faith in humanity despite harsh underground conditions and a complex environment. However, he clarified that Hamas as an organization and its operatives are a deadly reality that cannot be ignored, and anyone involved in the terror group is a "murderous terrorist."