Sagui Dekel-Chen counted "more than 43 million seconds of Hell"

Sagui Dekel-Chen counted millions of seconds in "hell" in captivity, and Sasha Trufanov prayed that his partner not wait for him to return. These are some of the details revealed in an article published by Channel 13 News today (Sunday).

Sapir Cohen, Sasha Trufanov's partner, provided a statement today: "I have the right to stand here. Sasha told me that all this time he prayed for me, that I would find a man I love.

She then revealed that "he prayed that I wouldn't wait for him, because he didn't want me to wait for a man who would never return home. I was privileged to hug Sasha again. I thank everyone who took part in making this dream come true. Every day I thank God for the privilege I was given of having so many good people. I also thank the decision makers. We must continue on this path and bring all the hostages back home. I hope that we, the people of Israel, will become a family of freed people."

Avital Dekel-Chen, Sagui's wife, then gave her own statement: "Avital Dekel-Chen, Sagi's wife: "My beloved has returned home. He's here, right above us, in the department. Standing on his feet with a huge smile and joy in his heart. Looking back, I remember how on October 7th I stood in the safe room with my two daughters, in advanced pregnancy. For hours I waited for Sagi to return and open the door. I knew that no matter what days we would go through – Sagi would come home.

She then explained what got himself and her through the whole ordeal: Throughout this entire period, I told myself that if there's anything that could overcome this story – it's the love and connection that Sagi and I have. When he returned, I discovered how true that was. He hadn't seen daylight since October 7th, and didn't know what happened with me and the girls. He found out what happened to us the day before his release. How did he manage to hold on? Thanks to love.

Avital then ended her statement with a plea to return all the hostages, without exception: "Alongside the joy and excitement, I couldn't help but think about all the children who are still waiting for their fathers to return. We have small children in the State of Israel who were separated from their father, and every day they wake up and ask when daddy is coming back. We must do everything so that this question won't be asked and their father will return home.

"I have enormous pain for everything we've lost, for all our friends who are gone, for so many good people who were murdered that Saturday, for all the soldiers who fell in battle – thanks to whom we stand here today. I want to strengthen the families and send strength to the wounded. I want to address the rest of the hostages' families – don't lose hope. We will bring back everyone who remains there, because there is no other option. Simply none."