Hostage Survivor Avinatan Or Recounts Toughest Moments in Hamas Captivity
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Hostage survivor Avinatan Or stated that his most difficult moment in Hamas captivity was the "thoughts of a partial deal and that some of us would remain there." In an interview on V1's "60 Seconds," Or also discussed his failed tunnel escape attempt and the fate of his captors. He recalled his mother's warning about kidnapping before his IDF service and expressed confidence in his survival. The interview touched on his separation from fellow hostage Noa Argamani and his use of engineering skills during captivity.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avinatan Or identified thoughts of a partial hostage deal as his hardest moment in Hamas captivity.
- Or described a failed escape attempt from a Gaza tunnel, using a curtain to hide his digging.
- He stated that some of his captors have been killed, with one now imprisoned in Israel.
- Or recalled his mother's warning against kidnapping before his IDF enlistment.
- He believes his engineering skills and life experience helped him during captivity.
Hostage survivor Avinatan Or revealed that his most difficult experience in Hamas captivity was not his capture or escape attempt, but rather the "thoughts of a partial deal and that some of us would remain there." Or, who was interviewed on V1's "60 Seconds" program with Liel Eli, discussed his time in captivity, his separation from fellow hostage Noa Argamani, and his failed escape attempt from a Gaza tunnel.
Or described his attempt to escape from a tunnel by digging an exit, an effort that was ultimately thwarted when he was caught. He explained that he used a curtain to conceal his actions from security cameras. When asked if he would act differently, he stated he would "exercise more patience." Despite the failed escape and the terrorists' reaction, Or reiterated that the fear of a deal leaving some hostages behind was the most agonizing part of his captivity.
He also commented on the terrorists who abducted him, noting that some have been killed and one is currently imprisoned in Israel. "Yes, he's sitting in jail since before the war ended, that's how the wheel turns," Or said.
Or, an electrical engineer, believes his professional knowledge and life experience aided him during his captivity. He expressed confidence in his eventual return, stating simply, "Yes," when asked if he believed he would survive. He also recalled his mother's warning before his IDF enlistment: "Before enlisting, she told me, 'Just one thing, don't get kidnapped.'"
In a lighter moment, Or humorously explained his refusal to eat chocolate in captivity as an effort "to watch his figure."
