Israeli 12-Year-Old Endures Hamas Captivity, Compelled to Witness Oct 7 Attack Footage

Twelve-year-old Eitan Yahalomi, who was held hostage in Gaza for 52 days, was reportedly forced by Hamas to watch videos of the October 7 attack, according to his aunt. Eitan, a French-Israeli national, and his father, Ohad Yahalomi, were abducted from the Nir Oz kibbutz, and Ohad is still being held captive by Hamas.

After being released as part of a deal between Israel and Hamas, Eitan was seen hugging his mother, Batsheva, on Monday night.

During his captivity, Eitan and other child hostages were allegedly threatened at gunpoint when crying, said Eitan’s aunt, Dvora Cohen. She also claimed that Hamas forced him to watch horrifying films and every time a child cried, they would threaten them with a weapon.

Furthermore, Cohen stated that upon arriving in Gaza, the 12-year-old was assaulted by Palestinian civilians. She expressed her disappointment, saying, “When he arrived in Gaza, civilians hit him. He is a 12-year-old child. Apparently not. Those people are monsters.”

In response to Hamas sharing videos of hostages bidding farewell, Israel cautioned that these visuals were part of psychological warfare.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also addressed Eitan’s testimony through spokesperson Daniel Hagari. In a video posted on social media, Hagari condemned Hamas as a cruel and terrorist organization that prevented the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement from checking on the hostages. He emphasized the need for the Red Crescent to fulfill its responsibility and stated that Israel would do everything possible to bring all the hostages back home.

As part of the swap deal, other hostages, including 78-year-old Ruti Munder, were released by Hamas. Munder, who slept on plastic chairs in a cramped room, endured challenging conditions along with her daughter and grandson, who were also held hostage for 52 days. Munder’s husband, Avraham, who was abducted from Nir Oz, remains captive.