"Because of You, I Am Here"
Two-Year Secret: Former Hostage Maxim Herkin Makes Emotional Return in IDF Uniform
Former hostage Maxim Herkin, who secretly served as an officer during his two years in Hamas captivity, returned to his unit in uniform, telling the soldiers, "Because of you, I am here."
Just days after returning home from two years in terrorist captivity, former hostage Maxim Herkin made an emotional return to his military roots, appearing in uniform at a commendation ceremony for the Transportation Center. Herkin, who served his mandatory and reserve duty there, addressed his comrades, thanking them for the efforts that helped bring him home.
"I came home a few days ago to my civilian family, and today, thanks to you, I have returned to my family in uniform," Harkin said, speaking before the assembled personnel. "I grew up in the Transportation Center during my mandatory service and also continued in reserve duty. This unit has always been very important in my life."
A Secret Kept in Captivity
Herkin was abducted by Hamas terrorists from the Nova music festival on October 7, only two months after completing his officer's course. At the time of his capture, he was wearing civilian clothes, though his mother revealed in an exclusive interview that he had a military ID card on him, which he managed to discard before being taken.
Crucially, Herkin was able to keep his status as an active-duty officer a secret from his Hamas captors for the entire two years. His family consciously avoided media exposure during his captivity, fearing that any revelation about his rank could endanger his life.
Herkin's mother, Tella, reflected on the family's painful silence: "The reason I didn't want to talk about my son is simply that I was silent because he is an officer. I was afraid, it was a mother's fear. I didn't know exactly what they [Hamas] knew there." It is now known that Herkin successfully maintained that secret from his captors.
An Ode to Service and Unity
Addressing the troops, Herkin emphasized the sanctity of their work and the dual lives led by Israeli citizens. "These are my military lives, we have a life in civilian clothes, and we have a life in uniform," he said.
He offered deep gratitude to the soldiers: "I must thank you, that from October 7 until today you are contributing your civilian lives for the sake of your military lives. There is a higher purpose, in my eyes, this is a sacred mission, you are contributing your time, your strength, and your soul for us to win, for us to bring them home. Because of you, I am here."
Herkin was released from Hamas captivity as part of the most recent exchange and was discharged from Sheba Tel HaShomer Hospital on Sunday, returning to his home in Tirat Carmel. Upon returning to his city, he stood on stage, draped in the Israeli flag, to thank the assembled crowds and implored them: "I thank you, and I ask you not to lose the unity."