From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Former hostage recounts ‘darkness’ of her captivity, says no one should be forced to live like that
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Moran Stella Yanai, who was taken hostage from the Nova rave on October 7, speaks about the 49th day of her captivity, when she was prepared to be released home to Israel.
She speaks of the hope she felt in those moments, but recalls being pulled back, kept in the darkness, as she imagined freedom and being able to once again do whatever she wanted, about the hugs she would receive.
“I’m not a politician and I have no answers. I don’t know the right way to do this, but I know one thing: I was there 54 days and I experienced the fear, and no one should return to the darkness,” she says. “It’s forbidden for anyone to remain there. It’s not an issue of strategy or ideology. It’s about humanity and that every single one must return, until the last hostage.”
She speaks in English as well, appealing to the international community with a plea to help bring the hostages home.
“These are our children, parents, brothers, and sisters, individuals with dreams, hopes, and loved ones longing for their return,” says Moran. “Prove that compassion can prevail over despair.”
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