\nThe letter revealed how Yotam was a source of strength and hope during captivity. \u201cI was with Yotam during the first month and a half of captivity,\u201d she wrote. \u201cOn October 9, I descended into the tunnel and there I saw him standing next to another captive. Immediately, without knowing me, he approached, shook my hand, and I saw his tattoo of a rose. He was dressed in blue pants and a blue shirt, with red hair tied in a ponytail, a smile, and eyes that radiated peace, love, calmness, support, and care. From the very first moment, he seemed radiant and comforting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the fear and the tears streaming down my cheeks,\u201d the soldier shared, \u201chis touch, embrace, and words helped me realize that as long as Yotam was by my side, I could lower the fear level. He told me, \u2018Don\u2019t be afraid, everything will be okay.\u2019\u201d T\u05d5val mentioned that after half an hour together, they took Yotam to join Alon Shamriz and Samar al-Talalka. “Alon, and Samar said goodbye to the girls,\u201d he added. \u201cFor a month and a half, the girls remained close to the boys but did not see each other, and she constantly asked about his well-being, whether they were taking care of him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that during this time, Yotam was keeping himself strong, doing push-ups in captivity. In the darkest place in the world, he was a shining diamond.\u201d Tuval shared that the soldier wrote to them: \u201cAfter a month and a half, our area became dangerous and they prepared us for a transfer. We walked for many hours, and then I met him again, and our hug when we met was so powerful and loving. He believed that everything would be over and he cared for us, showed interest in my story, listened, and the smile never left his face.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe spent one night together in that tunnel,\u201d the female border surveillance soldier recounted, \u201cbut we were in separate rooms with a shared corridor and bathroom near our room. Every time he went to the bathroom, he passed by the door, waved quickly to say goodbye, smiled broadly to give us hope and comfort in such a horrific situation. Yotam tried to whisper to us where we were going and provide information from what they heard from the captors. They gave him sticks and a few pots to drum on, and he played us lovely rhythms, and I was moved and surprised to see him so happy with the music. Since then, we did not met again.\u201d<\/p>\n A Heartfelt Reflection<\/strong> Tuval shared his mixed feelings upon receiving the letter: \u201cIt strengthens me to hear how strong he was and how he controlled the situation, but it\u2019s hard because you see the captives returning and you immediately revert to \u2018why did this happen to him.\u2019 It all rises again, it floods back, knowing how close he was to returning. A year has passed, and you immediately go back to those days and moments. We never had information like this in such beautiful and moving words from another captive.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A letter written by one of the female border surveillance soldiers who returned from captivity revealed the strength of Yotam Chaim: “Despite the fear and tears, he was radiant and reassuring.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15499,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[85,88,6],"tags":[2979,2977,2948,2949],"class_list":["post-15498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-positive-moment","category-will-remember","category-security","tag-border-surveillance-soldier","tag-hamas-tunnels","tag-iris-haim","tag-yotam-haim"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/reganews.co.il\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/yotam-alon-samir-1.jpg\")
\nThe returning soldier emphasized how Yotam demonstrated strength during captivity and added that \u201cIn March, I dreamed of him \u2013 happy and encouraging. He died a hero\u201d she wrote to the family.<\/p>\n