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Omer Shem Tov

This image released by the IDF on June 22, 2026, shows Hamas terrorist Sabaei Zahir Abd al-Hamid Abu Hasna standing alongside hostage Omer Shem Tov upon the latter's release on February 22, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
June 23, 2026, 3:25 am
IDF: Oct. 7 terrorist who held Omer Shem Tov hostage killed in recent Gaza strike
Sabaei Zahir Abd al-Hamid Abu Hasna, a member of Hamas’s elite Nukhba Force who forced Israeli captive to kiss him upon release, was targeted in Saturday airstrike, says military
By Emanuel Fabian
Omer Shem Tov speaks onstage during the humanitarian award dinner for Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav, presented by the Simon Wiesenthal Center on October 30, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Simon Wiesenthal Center/AFP)
April 29, 2026, 4:19 am
UCLA student government censured after condemning event with ex-hostage Omer Shem Tov
University, Jewish groups and a sitting regent denounce student leaders for claiming freed captive’s talk ‘amplified one-sided narrative that erases systems of oppression and occupation’
By Andrew Lapin
Former hostage Matan Angrest attends a ceremony marking the first night of Hanukkah at the National Library in Jerusalem, December 14, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
December 15, 2025, 4:40 pm
‘Out of darkness’: Freed hostages lead Hanukkah candle-lightings
Emily Damari, Gali and Ziv Berman light menorah together, share video of dancing; four freed surveillance soldiers lead lighting ceremony
By ToI Staff
Jerry Seinfeld poses for a portrait to promote the film "Unfrosted" on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New York. (Victoria Will/Invision/AP)
September 11, 2025, 2:48 pm
Seinfeld compares ‘Free Palestine’ movement to Ku Klux Klan, says both antisemites
Jewish comedian, a vocal supporter of Israel and critic of pro-Palestinian activists, appears at Duke University event hosting former hostage Omer Shem Tov
By ToI Staff
Hostage families and mothers praying at Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem in the West Bank in November 2024. (David Weill)
August 2, 2025, 7:57 am
‘Shabbat kept me’: Many hostages and families have turned to faith in the face of trauma
For October 7 captives and their relatives, Jewish rituals have often become lifelines. Psychologists say religion offers meaning — but warn of vulnerabilities
By Rossella Tercatin
Released hostage Omer Shem Tov speaks at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, April 19, 2025. (Paulina Patimer/Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
From the WebJune 10, 2025, 2:01 pm
Former hostage Omer Shem-Tov says Jewish faith kept him alive in Hamas tunnels
The New York Times reports that while his mother recited an ancient psalm each day pleading for his deliverance, the now-freed captive was doing the same in Gaza
Former hostage Omer Shem Tov, center, celebrates as he is received at Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, May 15, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
May 24, 2025, 10:36 am
Three months after release, Omer Shem Tov deals with guilt of enjoying everyday life
On trip to Boston, where he threw first pitch at his first-ever baseball game, ex-hostage recounts abuse and starvation, expresses fear renewed Gaza op will kill those left behind
By AP and ToI Staff
Former hostages hold a press conference in Tel Aviv, April 28, 2025. (Tomer Neuberg/ Flash90)
April 28, 2025, 11:25 pm
‘Medieval torture’: Former hostages plead with Trump to free remaining captives
Freed hostages hold English-language presser addressed to US president, recalling brutality, inhumanity, torture and agony of Hamas captivity, beg for him to restart serious truce talks
By ToI Staff
Norwegian soccer player Erling Haaland, top, who plays for Manchester City, duels for the ball with Bournemouth's Lewis Cook during the English FA Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality stadium in Bournemouth, England, March 30, 2025. (Ian Walton/AP)
April 17, 2025, 11:10 am
Soccer star Haaland calls freed hostage and mega fan Omer Shem Tov
Norwegian holds video conversation with former captive; Shem Tov thanks him for ‘amazing’ gesture
By ToI Staff
Protesters call for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip, outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, March 15, 2025. (Flash90)
March 16, 2025, 12:32 am
‘Not in trickles, nor 50-day deals’: At rally, ex-hostage calls for release of all captives
Brother of slain hostage says Israelis will put Netanyahu ‘on trial for crimes against the nation of Israel,’ as nearby, anti-government protests resume in full force
By Noam Lehmann and ToI Staff
Avinatan Or, a Nvidia employee, taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 from the Supernova desert rave. (Courtesy)
March 12, 2025, 11:54 pm
Freed hostage says he saw Avinatan Or alive in captivity, marking first sign of life
Hostage families petition High Court over Gaza electricity cut, saying it endangers loved ones’ lives; Trump backtracks from plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza
By Lazar Berman, Nava Freiberg, ToI Staff and Agencies
Released hostage Omer Shem Tov returning to his home in Herzliya, March 1, 2025. (Tal Gal/Flash90)
March 2, 2025, 1:15 am
Crowd rejoices at home of freed hostage Omer Shem-Tov after discharge from hospital
Recently released captive thanks crowd of Israelis singing, dancing and waving flags outside Herzliya home; neighbor says it is ‘best feeling in the world’ to see him return
By ToI Staff
The six hostages released on February 22, 2025 reunite with their families. Top row from left: Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov, Avera Mengistu. Bottom row from left: Hisham al-Sayed, Eliya Cohen, Tal Shoham. (IDF)
February 22, 2025, 11:34 pm
Hostages were chained, starved, kept in pitch black; some return almost unresponsive
Hamas made 2 hostages not going free watch release ceremony from a vehicle near the stage; Omer Shem Tov, abducted from Nova festival, was held alone in a tunnel for some 450 days
By Emanuel Fabian, Lazar Berman, Michael Bachner, Charlie Summers, Leon Kraiem and ToI Staff
Israeli hostages released February 22, 2025 (left to right): Tal Shoham, Avera Mengistu seen on stage in Rafah (Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Jehad Alshrafi/AP Photo); Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov and Omer Wenkert on stage in Nuseirat (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Photo); Hisham al-Sayed in Gaza (X screenshot)
February 22, 2025, 4:53 pm
Hamas frees final 6 living hostages in phase 1 of deal; all reunite with family in Israel
October 7 captives Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen back after over 500 days in Hamas captivity; Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed return after decade in Gaza
By ToI Staff and Emanuel Fabian
Family members of hostages honored on International Women's Day at the Peres Center on February 19, 2025 (Courtesy)
February 19, 2025, 8:40 pm
Hostages’ mothers, wives and sisters honored on Int. Women’s Day
Peres Center honors women who are shaping Israel’s post-October 7 recovery: ‘We’re fighters and we’ll change the world with our acts’
By Jessica Steinberg
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