Captivity survivor Omer Wenkert,spoke on Tuesday evening at the Hostages' Square in Tel Aviv, as part of the "Singing Together for Their Return" event.
"On October 7, 2023, I was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from the Re'im Junction. I was released about four months ago after 505 days in captivity. 505 days during which I was held underground, in a narrow, short, low, and dark tunnel."
"On October 7th, I went out with my good friend Kim Damti, may she rest in peace, to celebrate at the Nova party. To dance, to feel free, and to enjoy ourselves within the borders of my country. Around eight in the morning, after experiencing hell in a burning shelter where endless grenades were thrown at us, cruel terrorists stripped off my clothes, tied my hands, put me in a van, and within about an hour I arrived underground where I remained until my last day in captivity," he added.
He continued to share, "Underground, I met Liam—a young boy of about eighteen from Kibbutz Re'im who was kidnapped from his bed with a bleeding gunshot wound. After about three days, this was the first time Liam and I could speak. I remember he told me, 'Be strong, brother.' I looked at him and understood—I realized that for his sake, I had to be strong. I immediately lifted myself from the ground, squeezed his hand, looked into his eyes and said, 'Don't lose hope—we'll eventually return home.'"
According to Wenkert, "From there, the days passed. Liam returned home. I remained alone for 197 days, and then spent eight months with Tal Shoham, who was released with me, and with Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David, who are still there. Every single moment, several things guided me and my path there. The first thing—my promise to Liam not to lose hope. I demanded this of him and knew I had to stand behind my words. The second thing—this path is long and difficult, filled with tremendous suffering and continuous pain. But at the end of the path? My family is there, my freedom is there, the sky will spread above me again. So I made sure to lift my head at every moment there and not fall along this path. The third thing—gratitude and appreciation. During my captivity, I learned to be satisfied with little, with small things. I blessed every bite, every moment when I felt slightly more comfortable, and every small moment of laughter with the other captives with me. I said thank you every hour of every day for still being alive!"
"Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David, along with 48 other hostages, are still in Hamas captivity. They are still living an ongoing nightmare every single moment, experiencing endless and intensifying hell, starving, humiliated, miserable, and crying out to return to freedom. I stand here today—and I am their voice! I cry out their pain and their pleas to come home!"
"I want to say thank you from here to everyone who is here today and visits this square every day. I want to thank all the people of Israel for supporting me, my family, and all the hostages who are still there in Gaza! I want to thank all the soldiers who went out to fight for my return home and for defending our country," said Wenkert. "I want to commemorate and remember all those who have fallen in this specific campaign and in all of Israel's campaigns in general."
In conclusion he said, "I want to remind everyone that there are still 50 brothers and sisters of all of us still in Hamas's hell. It is our duty to do everything in our power to bring them home. Bringing back the hostages is the most urgent priority! And I want you to always remember—as long as the sky is above you, freedom exists in your lives, and family or people who love you are by your side, you are more than okay! All of them—now!"