Abigail Idan's Uncle Shares Story of Resilience Three Years After Hostage Crisis

Three years after the Hamas attack, Zuli Giyongyoshi, the uncle of three-year-old Abigail Idan who was held hostage in Gaza for 51 days, has shared a personal account of choosing life and raising his six children. He described the moment of rescue, stating, "We were extracted after 30 hours in a shelter, and Abigail returned after 51 days from Gaza. This is where chapter two of our lives begins." Giyongyoshi recounted his decision to embrace life amidst the trauma, saying, "On the morning of the extraction, I was in a jeep with one of the boys and made a clear decision that I choose life, and embarked on the journey of my life." He explained the family's effort to rebuild a semblance of normalcy, balancing the ongoing trauma with new routines, activities, and travel, while acknowledging the presence of sadness and pain. He noted meeting many supportive individuals, including prominent figures like President Biden and the CIA Director, who became friends. Giyongyoshi also addressed the surprise of visitors who expect a home affected by trauma but find a lively, noisy, and happy household, emphasizing their choice to focus on life and good. He mentioned that his late wife, Liron, and their son, Roy, are always present in their happy and funny stories, hoping they see their three children are in the best hands and are happy. He concluded by referring to his family as the "victory photo of these three years," contrasting their choice of life with the terrorists' choice of death, and stating that "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."