Former Israeli hostage Yosef Haim Ohana: ‘The Pinocchio song brought me light in captivity’

Former Israeli hostage Yosef Haim Ohana was interviewed this Friday on the program “Bachatsi HaYom HaShishi” with Liat Regev, where he spoke about the prayer that strengthened him during his captivity – the theme song of the children’s program “Pinocchio.” Also appearing in the interview was voice actress Raya Admoni, who voiced the characters Pinocchio and Bella on the show and performed its theme song.

“It’s a moment of coming full circle,” Yosef Haim said in the interview, referring to the Hanukkah holiday that will begin next week. “When I think back to last Hanukkah in captivity, it’s incredibly moving. We were aware of the dates and knew when the first candle of Hanukkah was. At the end of the tunnel there was a corner where you could be alone with yourself. I went there and decided to remind myself that miracles happen.”

Ohana said that music was a significant emotional anchor for him. “Every morning, when I wanted to start the day with a smile rather than pain, I would sing the opening song of ‘Pinocchio,’” he shared. According to him, the innocent lyrics of the children’s song took on a chilling meaning in the situation he was in. “I sang it like ‘Modeh Ani.’ The words ‘How good it is to live and to be, a child who loves the world and the world loves him’ touched me deeply.”

“Precisely in a place where you are wrapped in hatred, I would say those words and believe them,” he said. “I told myself – ‘True, right now no one is smiling at me, but the world loves me, and there is a place where love is waiting for me.’”

At this point, Ohana was surprised when Regev brought Raya Admoni on air – the iconic voice actress of Pinocchio (and also the character Bella) and the performer of the show’s theme song. “Knowing that something I once did managed to reach the very bottom of the bottom and encourage someone touched my heart, and I cried,” Admoni said. Ohana responded: “Your voice played in my head every morning. You brought me light in a truly dark place.”

During the broadcast, Admoni performed an updated version of the song, which she wrote especially for Yosef Haim after his release:

“Good morning, world, how is everyone? // I’m no longer in the tunnels // At last the lights have risen for me and enough with the troubles // How good it is to live and to be, free like all the residents // Who surround me and love me, Yosef Haim.”

Upon hearing the new lyrics, Yosef Haim said: “I have goosebumps – it did everything for me.”

Ohana, 25, worked as a bartender at the Nova festival. Before his abduction, he helped evacuate the wounded to medics and ambulances. After returning to Israel, he said he endured severe torture, deliberate starvation, and physical and psychological abuse in captivity. In March 2025, the first documented sign of life was received from him and from Elkana Bohbot.

On Oct. 19, six days after he was returned to Israel, he was discharged for rehabilitation from Sheba Medical Center together with brothers Ariel and David Cunio. At the beginning of last week, he was released from rehabilitation at Kfar Maccabiah in Ramat Gan and returned to his home in Kiryat Malachi.