Freed Israeli captive recounts harrowing four-month Hamas ordeal.
Luis Har has opened up about the surreal experience of being held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza for over four months, and his dramatic rescue in February. The 71-year-old was among civilians abducted during Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel last October, along with four relatives including a teenage girl. While the women were released during a truce, Har and his partner’s brother remained captive.
In an interaction with Reuters, Har recalled the frightening explosion and gunfire that preceded his extraction by Israeli special forces. “On the way, I even asked soldiers if we were in a movie, as I struggled to believe it was real,” he stated.
During captivity, the prisoners helped each other cope with depression and loneliness by discussing happier memories like cooking or travel plans. Har revealed battling emotions while imagining family hugs and playtime with grandchildren.
He spent captivity’s long hours talking to his fellow hostage about hopes and dreams. The dire circumstances took a toll with periods of withdrawal and lack of smiles or conversation.
Har is yet to return to his evacuated border community like thousands of others. The trauma lingers as he advocated for the release of over 130 Israelis still held hostage in Gaza via the forum for captive families.
For now, he aims to slowly pick up the pieces of life disrupted by the harrowing experience of helplessness in enemy captivity.
