Hostage Avinatan Or Details Daring Escape Attempt From Gaza

Avinatan Or, who was held hostage in Gaza, revealed in an interview with Uvda on Channel 12 that he spent six months meticulously planning and executing an escape from his captivity. Using a metal wire, a stolen shovel, a LED lamp, and a 60-meter electrical cable, Or dug a tunnel from his cell, which was located underground and too low for him to stand in. He discovered a potential weak point when he felt a draft of air coming from behind sandbags, a phenomenon not expected in a tunnel. He used a trash bag to conceal part of his cell from surveillance cameras and an extension cord to extend his reach.

Or, who was abducted from the Nova music festival, spent his captivity in near-total isolation and did not encounter any other Israeli hostages. He drew upon his past experiences, including working in construction at age 13, serving as a combat soldier in the Sayeret Rimon unit, studying engineering at Ben-Gurion University, and working as an engineer at Nvidia, to aid his escape efforts. He also prepared for the possibility of not surviving, writing farewell letters to his parents and a will.

During his captivity, Or observed protests in Israel on television. He stated that he supported his parents' stance against a hostage deal, even if it meant he would remain captive. "It was clear to me that if we made a deal now, I would get out of here. But in two days, three days, a month, two months, a year, two years, ten years, someone else would sit here in my place," he explained. He expressed pride in his parents for adhering to their principles, stating, "A person must go with his truth even if it is not pleasant for him."

Towards the end of his captivity, one of his captors informed him that the war was ending for him but also issued a threat, saying, "Take a bag, pack up and go to Europe. You know why? Because we will do October 7 again. As long as there is one Jew in the Land of Israel, we will slaughter you again and again."