Israeli Hostage Reflects on Time in Hamas Captivity
On October 7, 2023, Omer Shem Tov found himself dancing with friends at the Nova music festival in Israel when chaos erupted. Hamas launched a brutal attack, claiming hundreds of lives, and Shem Tov, along with many others, was captured and taken towards Gaza.
Now 20 years old, Shem Tov recounted to Fox News Digital how he spent 505 harrowing days as a hostage of Hamas, trapped within their extensive tunnel system. His release came on February 22, 2025, shortly after which he met President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Reflecting on his time in captivity, Shem Tov mentioned a significant shift in atmosphere following Trump’s election victory on November 5, 2024. “As soon as Trump was elected,” he said, “you could see the fear in their eyes. They knew everything on the ground was going to change.”
During his confinement, especially in the last five months, he was forced to labor under harsh conditions, constantly working underground. “I dug holes, cleaned, carried bombs… it was an overwhelming amount of food, more than I’ve seen before,” he shared.
Shem Tov, quite understandably, was curious about current events. He learned of the U.S. elections through a fellow hostage who managed to watch Al Jazeera in the tunnels. “The terrorists had a TV, and while I wasn’t allowed to watch it, I did hear a lot,” he noted.
His captivity also saw a notable change in the treatment he received from his captors, especially post-election. “They began offering me more food. It was strange, really. Before that, I mostly survived on small biscuits,” he said, mentioning overhearing their discussions about wanting Kamala Harris to win.
When the date of his 21st birthday approached, he recalled feeling a swell of emotion for the first time during his ordeal. “For the first few weeks, I didn’t cry. But on October 31st, I finally burst into tears. It was just hard thinking about my family. I knew they were safe, but I couldn’t stop worrying about my own survival,” he expressed, revealing the immense emotional toll of his experience.
Following his release, Shem Tov has frequently spoken about Trump’s impactful role in securing the freedom of hostages and fostering hopes for a peaceful resolution in the Middle East. He shared that he had always admired Trump as a staunch supporter of Israel, though he hadn’t been politically active before his abduction.
Currently, a ceasefire exists between Israel and Gaza, stemming from Trump’s announcement of a peace plan that included the release of hostages. Tragically, not everyone made it home; Ran Gviri, a police officer, was confirmed dead, and his remains are still located in Gaza.
During a visit to the White House, Shem Tov conveyed his gratitude to Trump, stating, “I told him that my family and the entire Israeli populace believe he was destined to help us.”
Now that he’s free, Shem Tov has built strong connections with fellow former hostages, considering them family. “We’re all like siblings now. We keep in touch a lot, and it’s comforting to know we’re not alone in this,” he concluded, hopeful yet reflective on his journey.
