Hostage Omer Shem Tov released from Gaza after 505 days of captivity
Shem Tov was abducted from the Supernova rave on Oct. 7, 2023, and returned to Israel as part of phase one of a mediated ceasefire-hostage release deal on Feb. 22, 2025
On February 22, 2025, Omer Shem Tov, 22, was released by Hamas from Gaza as part of phase one of a mediated hostage release-ceasefire deal. Below are the initial reports of his capture:
Omer Shem Tov, 20 (now 22), last spoke to his parents around 10 a.m. on October 7, as he sounded increasingly panicked about what was happening around him while Hamas terrorists shot hundreds and abducted dozens at the Supernova music rave in the desert.
“He sounded more panicked, from call to call,” said his father, Malki Shem Tov, speaking in a video about his son.
At 9:30 a.m., Omer and a friend reached the friend’s car and got in. Omer sent a live location to his parents.
His parents then noticed that the location was moving, and the car was heading in the direction of Gaza.
They called him, wanting to make sure he knew where he was going, but Omer didn’t answer.
“We waited and waited, we contacted the hospitals,” said Malki Shem Tov.
Eventually, they saw a Hamas video that had been posted on Telegram, showing Omer and his friend lying on a floor in Gaza.
They were able to identify Omer from his tattoos, said his mother.