Ohad Ben Ami, who endured 490 days in Hamas captivity, was discharged from Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital today, marking another step in his journey to recovery. Ben Ami, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be'eri during the October 7th attack, was released last Saturday alongside Or Levy and Eli Sharabi.
The hospital confirmed that Ben Ami has completed all initial medical examinations and will continue his rehabilitation through day treatment at Ichilov. The medical center emphasized their commitment to providing comprehensive care, stating they will "continue to support him and his family" throughout his recovery process.
The circumstances of Ben Ami's captivity came to light through recent testimonies aired on Kan 11, Israel's public broadcaster. Along with his fellow captives, Ben Ami faced systematic starvation during his imprisonment, with their only sustenance sometimes being a piece of rotten pita bread shared among multiple hostages. The survivors disclosed details of brutal interrogations that included severe physical abuse, such as choking, limb binding, and burns inflicted with heated objects.
Ben Ami's case gained particular attention after an image of him being led barefoot by Hamas militants circulated on social media, becoming one of the defining images of the October 7th attack. His wife Raz, who was kidnapped alongside him from their home in Be'eri, was released earlier during the first hostage exchange in November 2023.
