On Monday, November 27, 11 Hamas hostages were able to return to Israel. Three French minors were able to leave Gaza, where they were held in difficult conditions. Eitan’s aunt, 12, tells of “unimaginable” acts.
“They are monsters.” Three young French hostages held by Hamas were released on Monday, November 27, as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement with Israel. Physically they are doing well, as Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna has indicated.
However, as 12-year-old Eitan’s aunt told BFMTV, these 51 days in detention risk leaving serious marks. According to him, his nephew “experienced horrors” at the hands of Hamas.
“Every time a child cried, they threatened him with a gun to silence him,” says Deborah Cohen. “When we arrived in Gaza, all the civilians, everyone beat him. We’re talking about a 12-year-old kid!”
The joy of the first moments gives way to an element of bitterness. Deborah Cohen is particularly shocked when she learns that the young Franco-Israeli had to watch “the horror film,” the images of the terrorist group’s attacks in Israel on October 7th.
“Yesterday we were so happy (…), but now that I know this, I’m worried,” says the aunt. “That’s unimaginable, I don’t know who can do something like that.”
A trauma that needs to be overcome
A few hours after he returned to his family, the boy’s condition left his loved ones questioning. “How can you feel good about an experience like that?” she asks.
“He is a quiet child, it will take time to let his emotions flow,” emphasizes Deborah Cohen. After this abuse, she still hopes that “a lot of love,” lots of hugs, “being surrounded by her whole family,” and the work of psychologists will enable her to overcome these hardships.
In addition to the traumatic experience at the hands of Hamas, Eitan Yahalomi will also remember the attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. His father Ohad defended his house from terrorists during the attack. He hasn’t been found since. Deborah Cohen believes her father is still “over there” in the hands of Hamas, like at least 180 other people.
French adults are still being held by the terrorist organization in Gaza. The ceasefire agreed between Hamas and Israel was supposed to end this Tuesday, November 28, but has been extended. New hostages were to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.