With Hope and Resilience, Hostage Survivors Embrace Life After Captivity

The first day of school, shared vacations abroad, and a possible return to military service: freed hostages are showing resilience and strength as they rebuild their lives after their traumatic Hamas captivity. Their stories reflect both personal triumph and a collective determination to move forward while never forgetting those still held in Gaza.

Abigail Idan | Photo: Schneider Hospital spokesperson

“We are The Victory”: Abigail Idan Starts First Grade
Six-year-old American-Israeli Abigail Idan, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz after her parents were murdered on October 7, began first grade this week.

Her adoptive father, Zoli Mor, marked the moment with an Instagram post: “Almost two years since October 7, people search for images of victory. If you ask me, it’s not about destroying Rafah or Sajaiya — it’s children like Guli (Abigail) starting first grade.”

He added: “We are the victory — and so many families sending their children to a new beginning. All that remains is to bring back the remaining hostages and rebuild everything destroyed in these past two years. I have hope that one day, there will be good here again.” He concluded: “So here is Guli, our champion. Liron (her adoptive mother) and I are bursting with pride.”

 

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Abigail’s story is one of survival against all odds. On October 7, her mother, Smadar, was shot in their safe room while protecting her three children. Her father, Roi, was murdered while carrying Abigail in his arms. She wandered alone between the houses until reaching a neighbor’s home, where she was kidnapped along with the family and taken to Gaza. After around fifty days, she was freed in a hostage deal and returned to Israel.

Freed Surveillance Soldiers Travel Together Abroad
Naama Levy, Karina Ariev, and Daniella Gilboa — three of the five female surveillance soldiers kidnapped from the Nahal Oz outpost and freed in January after 477 days in Hamas captivity — recently traveled together to Cyprus.

Joining them were Ella and Natali Ben Ami, whose parents Ohad and Raz Ben Ami were kidnapped on October 7 and later released in hostage deals.

During their vacation, the group shared photos of their experiences, including a yacht trip. Daniella wrote on Instagram: “What a joy to once again have the chance to discover new places and people, to hug, to share, to love together, to breathe and appreciate the beautiful life we received as a gift.” She added simply: “Thank you.”

Hostage survivors concluding their intensive rehabilitation, archive | Photo: Beilinson Hospital Spokesperson

From Captive to Soldier Again? 
Edan Alexander, a former Golani soldier kidnapped on October 7, is now considering returning to service in the IDF.

Alexander, who grew up in the United States and immigrated to Israel at 18 to serve as a lone soldier in Golani, was taken captive by Hamas and injured in the tunnel where he was held. Months ago, he was released as part of a Hamas “gesture” to U.S. President Donald Trump during mediation efforts.

Edan Alexander with Trump at the White House | Photo: The White House

Now living in the U.S., Alexander is in contact with the IDF about rejoining — this time in an intelligence unit. While no decision has been finalized, sources say one is expected soon.

His deliberation symbolizes a personal and national choice: to turn trauma into renewed purpose.

 

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