What happened to 9-year-old Ohad Monder during the 50 days he was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza?
This question continues to grip the nation, and while we await more answers, the accounts provided by his loved ones tell a shocking story.
A relative of the Monder family revealed that Ohad managed to learn a few English and Arabic words during his time in Gaza.
However, the conditions he endured were far from ideal, with him and other hostages sleeping on uncomfortable plastic benches, reminiscent of those used in hospitals for the elderly.
Romi Dor, Ohad's 9-year-old friend, recently expressed his longing for Ohad and his excitement for his return during an interview with Walla.
Romi and six other children visited Ohad upon his return while he was in the hospital, marking their joyful reunion after 50 long days apart.
Romi shared his experience, stating, "It was exhilarating. Yesterday, my mother woke me up at midnight because Ohad wanted to video call me and invited me to come visit him. Almost all of our friends were there. We played games like tag and hide-and-seek, enjoyed some pizza, and Ohad shared his entire story of being kidnapped and subsequently released."
During his captivity, Ohad mentioned that the terrorists brought other children for him to interact and play with. Additionally, he had been keeping a diary to document his experiences, but Hamas forbade him from bringing it back to Israel, citing potential risks.
Ohad's mother disposed of the diary as a result. The contents of the diary and why Hamas considered it a threat remain mysteries that may go unanswered for now.
Romi Dor expressed his disbelief at the swiftness of Ohad's release, stating, "I didn't expect him to be freed so quickly. I never imagined Ohad would be subjected to such mistreatment. We just want him to return to his normal life."
In a previous conversation, Romi had mentioned his concerns when Ohad went missing. "I sent Ohad a message, and although he had seen it, he didn't respond. I knew he often visited his family in Otef, and it was a holiday, so I assumed he might be there.
However, when my mother told me on Tuesday after October 7 that he had been kidnapped, my worry intensified."
Romi had shared his sadness and longing for his friend, expressing his fear for Ohad's safety. "I'm saddened and miss him. If I knew he was safe, perhaps I wouldn't be as sad, but the uncertainty frightens me. I don't want anything bad to happen to him," Romi added, urging Ohad to remain strong and stay positive, hoping for his eventual release and rescue. It appears that positive thoughts have indeed played a role, as Ohad is finally back home.
Nonetheless, the journey towards normalcy will still require time and effort.