Idit Ohel, mother of Alon who is held hostage in Gaza, shared the horrifying reality of her son’s captivity—over 500 days of torture at the hands of Hamas. Idit’s testimony also shed light on the unimaginable suffering endured by the hostages’ families, who face relentless psychological abuse from Hamas.
Alon was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, at the age of 22, while seeking shelter from Hamas attacks at the Nova music festival. He remains in captivity at the age of 24, held in inhumane conditions in Gaza. Testimonies from released hostages indicate that Alon has been held underground, kept in chains, suffering from severe malnutrition and untreated injuries, including loss of vision in one eye.
His family, like many others, has been subjected to ongoing psychological torture, including Hamas’s use of propaganda videos.
IJL continues to advocate for the immediate release of all hostages and the recognition of their captivity as a severe violation of international human rights law. The international community must act decisively to ensure their immediate and unconditional release.