‘Hope dies last’: Or Levy visits Hostages Square, days after release from Hamas captivity

Released hostage Or Levy visits Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, six days after his release from Hamas captivity and says he insisted on doing so despite resistance from his family and doctors.

“It’s been a week now, a week since I was reborn,” says Levy of his release last Saturday. “I’m trying to process what happened during the 491 days I missed, trying to understand what transpired in our country during that time.”

He says that during his captivity in Gaza, he didn’t know whether or not his wife Eynav was still alive.

Eynav Levy was killed in the roadside shelter near the Nova rave, where the couple had fled during the rocket onslaught on the morning of October 7, 2023, while Or was taken captive.

“It was such devastating news I received when I returned, but I promised her every day while I was there that I would stay strong for her and for the greatest gift she gave me in life — Mogi,” says Levy, referring to their three-year-old son, Almog.

“It was important for me to understand everything you’ve done and continue to do, to see the work that is far from taken for granted,” says Levy during his visit to the square. “I may be here, but I still have many brothers and sisters in the hell of Gaza, and their time is running out.”

“Alon and Eliya, I’m waiting for you,” says Levy, referring to Alon Ohel and Eliya Cohen, who were held with him and fellow released hostage Eli Sharabi. “Bring them all back! Now! Whatever it takes.”

Levy says he’s certain all the work done in the fight for the hostages helped him and the others return to their families, and thanks the public for its help and support and for never giving up.

“It truly isn’t taken for granted, and I genuinely feel that you all played a part in giving me my life back,” he says. “Hope dies last.”