Captivity survivor Omer Shem Tov spoke this evening (Thursday) at a rally in Herzliya, alongside his fellow captive survivors Maya and Itai Regev, who returned in the first deal about a year and a half ago.
""That we have lived and sustained and reached this time. I am Omar Shem Tov, and I am free. I have no experience on stage, and the last time I stood on stage was on the Hamas stage, so forgive me if I am excited about the occasion.
""I was kidnapped on October 7, and for 505 days I was held captive. I never lost hope for a moment. I always believed that I would return home, and I always felt the providence and protection over me, even though there were very difficult moments.".
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He said: "After I was returned, I felt very lonely. I was transferred to a tunnel 40 meters deep, alone, in a closed cell for 50 days, with little food and no light. I had a flashlight that I found, and I used it for a few minutes a day so that my battery wouldn't run out. On the 50th day, when I was on the verge of complete despair, after five days in complete darkness, when I was left with one biscuit a day and a little salt water to drink, I cried out to God to get me out of there, because I couldn't take it anymore. Five minutes later, the captor arrived and informed me that I was being moved to another place.
""I was transferred to another tunnel, and suddenly I realized that even in the tunnels there is a bad situation and a very bad situation. Thank God, in the new tunnel I had light, and the amount of food increased. I spent the next 400 days there alone, and every day I imagined the moment when I was released and the things I would do when I was free. I imagined how I would lay my head on my mother's lap and she would stroke my head, as I always loved. I imagined myself riding with my father on the motorcycle, feeling the wind and freedom. I imagined how Dana, Amit and I were sitting in the living room and watching a movie together with popcorn, and the trips I would take with Lucas in the fields.".
Shem Tov continued: "Imagination has become reality, and thank God I am here - and I am here for all those who were left behind there. I know what they feel, and I understand how urgent it is to get them out of the hell they are in. Every day there it is not clear whether you will stay alive or die from hunger or from physical and mental abuse. We must get everyone out of there - the living for rehabilitation, and the dead for burial.
""And to you, dear citizens, I want to say thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for supporting, embracing, and hugging my amazing family. Every prayer or energy you sent me - I felt, even when I was in the darkest place, I felt a spark of light, and that's thanks to you. Mom, Dad, Dana, and Amit - how lucky you are my family. I love you so much.
""I was alone for over a year, and I am now learning to get used to a new life I didn't know. I thank you for all the love you shower on me, and I know that each and every one of you deserves a big hug. Thank you for understanding that I need a little more time. I really love you. Am Yisrael Hai""
