‘I Tried to Accept Death’

Stand for Israel  |  April 24, 2025

In a detailed Times of Israel article, freed hostage Tal Shoham tells his story of captivity – the tunnels, the separation, the starving – but offers us some hope as he describes that he is finally home and healing:

Since returning home, Shoham has gained back 35 pounds (16 kilograms), saying he wanted to eat everything and never felt full. Lately, he’s been trying to get back to his pre-captivity routine of intermittent fasting.

While his leg is still not fully healed, Shoham says he’s one of the lucky ones, in that he’s not suffering from nightmares. He credits his children with helping him keep moving forward.

“When I can hear my children addressing us, like mother and father, mom and dad, saying both names, it’s like music to the ears,” he said. “As a family, we’re all in the process of recovery now. But we are doing it together.”