Omer Shem-Tov, Israeli man held hostage by Hamas for 505 days, shares story of captivity, survival
Share this @internewscast.com

A young Israeli, aged 23, shares his harrowing tale of being held captive for over 500 days after a deadly Hamas terror attack in 2023.

Since gaining his freedom, Omer Shem-Tov has had the honor of throwing the first pitch at Boston’s Fenway Park and meeting President Donald Trump. However, despite his newfound liberty, Shem-Tov is easily reminded of his traumatic experiences.

“Everything seems so unreal,” he expressed. “I can be sitting on the beach, feeling the sun’s warmth on my skin, and then suddenly, I remember, ‘Thank God I’m finally home.’

It’s been nearly three months since the 23-year-old was released, after 505 days of Hamas captivity.

Finally, he was reunited with his family after nearly a year and a half. Much of his time in captivity was spent in isolation in a tiny, pitch-black terror tunnel beneath the Gaza Strip.

“Starvation, it’s an awful thing,” Shem-Tov said. “Seeing my bones, my shoulder bones, my rib cage, I can feel it. Eating a biscuit a day, calculating how to eat it throughout the day. Not a lot of people can imagine what true darkness is. If you’re in a dark room you move your hand, you see shadows moving. I did not see those shadows. There were times I thought I went blind.”

Early in the morning on October 7, as he danced with his friends in the desert, Hamas massacred hundreds at the Nova Music Festival, and abducted 44 people, including Shem-Tov.

His parents, Malki and Shelley, were among the founders of the Hostage and Families Forum, now a global advocacy group supported by New York-based UJA Federation. That’s where the family told their story Tuesday night.

All of this comes as yet another attempt at peace fell through. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on Wednesday, vowing to maintain the Israeli onslaught until all of Gaza is under Israeli control. But Hamas holds 58 hostages and won’t return them unless the war ends.

“This is something that we cannot understand,” said Omer’s father Matt Malki Shem-Tov. “How come lives of people become political?”

Omer Shem-Tov was the last of 33 hostages released during the short-lived ceasefire earlier this year.

He’s hungry no more, and no longer in the dark, but what he can’t shake is the guilt that he’s free and others are not.

“It’s this feeling of guilt, this feeling of guilt it will not let you go,” he said. “All I want is for people to really unite and come together and to help us finish this hell and retrieve all the hostages back home.”

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Aerial view of a large wildfire at night.

Devastating Wildfires in Turkey, Fueled by Unprecedented 50°C Heatwave, Claim at Least 17 Lives and Force Thousands to Evacuate

At least 17 individuals have lost their lives in catastrophic wildfires sweeping…
poison ivy

Unsure if You’re Allergic to Poison Ivy? Think Again

(NEXSTAR) – You might have avoided the infamous rashes linked to poison…
Romeoville teen Langston Britton from Community Christian Church remembered after Silver Birch Ranch drowning in White Lake, WI

Remembering Langston Britton, Romeoville Teen from Community Christian Church, After Tragic Drowning at Silver Birch Ranch in White Lake, WI

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — A planned five-day trip to a church camp…
America's Copper Revolution Happening Now in Arizona

Arizona’s Pioneering Copper Boom is Underway

Copper is an essential resource. It is utilized in various industrial sectors,…
Malnourished child held by a woman.

Trump Unveils Secret ‘Plan’ with Israel to Stop Gaza Conflict and Introduces Efforts to Provide Aid to Civilians Used by Hamas

DONALD Trump has spoken of a mystery plan with Israel to end…
Brian Daboll grows heated over Giants' training camp penalty flags

Brian Daboll Sounds Off on Penalty Issues at Giants’ Training Camp

Observations from the Giants’ training camp on Monday: Green’s Day CB Art…
Bryan Kohberger questioned: Inside his first interview with police after Idaho student murders

Inside Bryan Kohberger’s First Police Interview After the Idaho Student Murders

Bryan Kohberger, responsible for the deaths of four University of Idaho students,…
Cincinnati mayoral candidate, VP Vance's half-brother, slams city leadership after brutal beatdown

Cincinnati Mayoral Contender, Half-brother of VP Vance, Criticizes City Officials Following Violent Assault

CINCINNATI – A contender for Cincinnati’s mayoral position criticized the city’s administration…
America's skies are wide open to national security threats, drone expert warns: 'We have no awareness'

Drone Expert Warns: America’s Skies Vulnerable to Security Threats Due to Lack of Awareness

As drone technology continues to progress at a rapid pace, experts in…
At least 3 people shot within an hour in separate bloody incidents at NYC Dominican Day Parade: sources

Three People Shot in Separate Incidents During NYC Dominican Day Parade: Sources

Police and sources reported that at least three individuals were injured in…
Photo of Thais Bonatti.

Tragic Accident: Female Comedian Dies After Being Struck by Truck Driven by Ex-Judge with Nude Passenger

A young comedian tragically lost her life in a terrible accident when…
Suspect walking in a parking lot near Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tragic Mass Shooting at Bangkok Market Leaves At Least Six Dead

AT least six people have been killed after a gunman opened fire…