Omer Wenkert, a released Israeli hostage, recounts his traumatic ordeal over 505 days in Gaza following the attack on the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. He described survival instincts, including using bodies to shield himself, after a close friend was killed. Wenkert endured significant abuse while imprisoned—held in a small, dark cell, where he suffered physical assault and psychological torment. He connected the mistreatment to the broader context of ongoing conflict and emotional stress experienced by his captors, underscoring the immense toll the situation has taken on both hostages and captors alike.
Listen, they're burning us.' There was silence in the shelter, Wenkert told Channel 12. I was very busy the whole time. It's terrible to say that, busy taking people's bodies and putting them on my head to protect my head if they come to shoot us again.
Mistreatment by his captors was often sparked by events during the war. Every hostage deal that falls through brings up a lot of frustration and rage and anger in them.
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