Hostage Mothers Speak Out on Lingering Trauma a Year After Release
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Mothers of Israeli hostages released from Hamas captivity are speaking out about the lasting trauma a year after their sons' return. Idit Ohl, Vicki Cohen, and Ditsa Or describe how the experience has fundamentally changed them, impacting their mental health and family dynamics. They are navigating ongoing recovery, public expectations, and finding new life paths while grappling with the indelible memories of their loved ones' captivity.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Mothers of released hostages Idit Ohl, Vicki Cohen, and Ditsa Or say they are "not the same people" a year after their sons' return.
- They describe ongoing psychological trauma and the difficulty of adjusting to life after prolonged "ambiguous loss."
- Ohl likened the family's experience to childbirth, where focus shifts to the baby, leaving parents to recover.
- Ditsa Or has not returned to her previous work and is engaged in public speaking about her family's ordeal.
- Vicki Cohen left her job to pursue a new path through writing and lectures about her son's captivity.
- The families are focusing on forward-looking action and healing while acknowledging the lasting impact of captivity.
A year after their sons returned from Hamas captivity, mothers Idit Ohl, Vicki Cohen, and Ditsa Or are sharing the profound and ongoing impact of the ordeal on their lives and families. They describe a transformation, stating, "We are simply not the same people." Ohl, mother of Alon, who was held for two years, explained the difficulty of reconciling her son's return with the deep trauma experienced. She noted the public expectation to celebrate his survival, while downplaying the severe psychological toll of living with "ambiguous loss", the uncertainty of whether a loved one is alive or dead.
Ohl likened the family's experience to pregnancy and childbirth. During captivity, the family received widespread support, but after Alon's return, the focus shifted entirely to him, leaving the parents to cope with their own recovery and the new reality. Ditsa Or, mother of Avinatan, who also returned, has not yet resumed her previous work as an emotional counselor and senior lecturer. Her current daily life involves extensive engagement with communities, educational institutions, and the media, alongside her own therapeutic process to heal from physical and emotional injuries.
Vicki Cohen, mother of Nimrod, described the initial period after his release as one of significant insecurity and adjustment for the entire family. She has since written a book, "A Mother's Journey - Between Captivity and Freedom," detailing her experiences, which has led to public speaking engagements. Cohen stated she left her previous job in a nursing company, recognizing that the trauma necessitates a new path to find her true purpose and contribute through workshops and lectures. While Nimrod is establishing a healthy routine, the memories of his captivity remain an inseparable part of their lives, but they are focusing on forward-looking action and healing.
