Soldier rescued from Hamas captivity: ‘We must do everything’ to bring back the remaining hostages

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Cpl. Ori Megidish speaks in a video statement, aired on December 30, 2023. (Israel Defense Forces)
Cpl. Ori Megidish speaks in a video statement, aired on December 30, 2023. (Israel Defense Forces)

Pvt. Ori Megidish, a soldier who was rescued from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip by the IDF and Shin Bet some two months ago, speaks in a video statement aired by the military during an evening press conference.

“My name is Ori Magidish, and exactly two months have passed since I was rescued by the IDF and Shin Bet from Hamas captivity. So many things happened in my life in these two months, and meanwhile, my friends are still being held in Gaza,” she says.

“Hamas kidnapped me on the seventh of October from the Nahal Oz post, where I served as an observer and monitored the border with Gaza every day, in order to protect my country,” Megidish says.

“They kidnapped us while some of us were still wearing pajamas. They murdered my best friends and many others,” she continues.

“I was held captive for 23 days, days that felt like years. My friends are still in captivity, held alongside women, men, children, old people, and sick people, while their family members are still waiting for their release,” Megidish says.

“Despite the pain, loneliness, and fear I felt when I was there, I had the hope that I would be rescued. I pray that my friends who are still in captivity have the same hope,” she says.

“While the world is celebrating New Year’s Eve, there are 129 hostages who cannot celebrate on their own. We must do everything, everything to bring everyone home,” Megidish adds.

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