Your love reached me underground in Gaza - Former Israeli hostage Alon Ohel thanks those who fought for his freedom

On Friday night, the Shabbat table at the Ohel family home was overflowing with all of Alon's favorite foods. This was a celebratory feast the family will never forget. Alon, the son of Idit and Kobi Ohel, was finally home, and “Shabbat Shalom” suddenly had a much greater meaning.

Ohel was one of the last living hostages to be discharged from Rabin Medical Center at Beilinson Hospital before the light symbolically switched off. That chapter is thankfully closed. Now a new one of recuperation and reintegration back into life and Israeli society begins.

With gauze still over one of his eyes, Ohel finally returned to his hometown of Lavon in northern Israel on Friday. He was greeted with a hero’s welcome, as huge crowds carrying flags and beaming with joy had gathered by the sides of the roads to catch a glimpse of his homecoming.

A huge effort had gone into his warm reception, but all that was dwarfed by the steadfast campaigning on his behalf for two solid years. The intense energy spent campaigning tirelessly day and night for his release was not lost on Ohel.

“You did everything – going out, holding up my pictures, people I don’t even know, amazing people who stood on the Ayalon highway and at Hostage Square, holding my signs. Thank you all so much,” he said with great appreciation.

“It’s overwhelming, so much love – thank you all so much. It’s just so surreal, so wonderful. It’s important for me to say a huge, enormous thank-you to all of you for supporting the family,” he continued emphatically.

In his speech to the crowd, Ohel conveyed the impact the love of all those fighting for his release had upon him while he was in captivity: “It’s important for me to say that all that love, it reached me even 50 meters underground in Gaza. I felt it every single moment. It was just incredible. And such joy, it’s great to be back. And from here, we look only forward – all together. Unity.”

The whole community expressed delight in having him home. One neighbor shared hopes that the piano playing that would ring out from the family home would now resume. “Alon is a quiet neighbor, but we always heard the piano when he played, and we really hope that now he’ll continue with his music and that’s what will give him the strength to move forward and heal.”

Ohel, 24, is an accomplished piano player and was intending to study at the Rimon Academy of Music after returning from his travels in the Far East, but was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Haaretz.

"Alon has an extraordinary talent for piano, a love he discovered at age ten,” his father confirmed. “Music became a significant part of his life. After finishing his high school music studies, he performed recitals at a very high level."

Speaking of his son’s eye injury, Alon’s father continued, "As a parent, I want to do everything I can for my child. If he falls, we immediately support him. Even now, I want to give my son the best possible foundation for recovery. The state provides basic support, but there's still so much more to do." 

Ohel’s parents set up a fundraiser for their son’s treatment which will require multiple surgeries, and for his future recovery.

During his time in captivity, Ohel was given barely one pita a day and was beaten by his captors. Kept deep in the tunnels, he is now eager to see as much sun as he can, even to the point of getting sunburned. It will take time to readjust.

“Rehabilitation is the hardest part of all. Alon has a long road ahead; physically, emotionally, and mentally,” his parent said, according to the Jerusalem Post. “Our goal is to ensure he has the resources and care he needs to heal and rebuild his life.”

In addition to his physical injuries and dropping to a mere 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds) in weight, one of the hardest things to cope with has been the mental anguish of uncertainty. The hostages and all those desperately hoping and praying for their release have been living on edge for two years now. Great relief that the suffering has finally ended has brought unbridled joy for the whole family and the entire community.

“It’s a very emotional and joyful moment. It’s almost a miracle. It is a miracle,” confirmed a Lavon resident. “Throughout this whole period we watched them, we prayed, and now, it’s really happening. We saw them every morning, almost every morning on their balcony, and we just said: hopefully, hopefully. This is the happiest day of our lives here in Lavon, that he arrived and returned to us alive.” 

“I’m returning to my home in the north, starting a process of rehabilitation and rebuilding myself, so that I can continue with my life,” Ohel declared.

“Everything is alright. I’m incredibly happy to see everyone, see all this love. Everything’s getting better from here on out, we’re moving forward. Thanks to all the people of Israel,” he said, according to the Times of Israel. “It’s really not taken for granted.”

“Thank you all so much! How amazing, how happy I am! Thank you, thank you.”

To contribute to the fundraising campaign for Alon Ohel, visit: https://www.charidy.com/alonohel