Brave Beyond Measure
"Don’t Call Me a Hostage Survivor,” Says Alon Ohel After Release
Alon Ahel survived two years in captivity in Gaza and was released a little more than two weeks ago. His father said that his son does not want to be labeled a “hostage survivor.”
In an interview with Galei Tzahal, ex hostage Alon Ohel's father father quoted Alon saying, “Don’t call me a hostage survivor. I come to mark hope.”
Alon, he added, wants to show that even from the worst places one can grow and thrive.
“He says he always thought about how to become a better, stronger person, how to rise up even when he was down,” his father said. “He always kept hope and knew the way forward was to keep living.”
Earlier Monday, Alon’s brother Ronen told radio station 103FM that during his captivity Alon once saw footage of a rally for the hostages in which people were holding his picture. At first Alon assumed they were relatives, but as he watched he realized they were strangers who had decided to fight for him. That moved him deeply, Ronen said, and Alon resolved that if they did not give up on him, he would not give up on himself.
Last Friday, after completing required medical checks, Alon was discharged from Beilinson Hospital. In a video posted while seated beside his parents and with a bandage over his left eye, he thanked the people of Israel and everyone who worked for his release and supported his family.
“Thank you very much to all the people of Israel who supported my family and did everything to bring me home healthy and whole,” he said. “Now I’m going back to my home in the north, beginning a process of rehabilitation and rebuilding so I can continue my life and achieve all my goals.”
Alon’s comments add a personal note to the ongoing public conversation about the ordeal of those held captive and their path to recovery.