Released Hostage Sapir Cohen Speaks Out

Stand for Israel | December 14, 2023

hostages, Hamas, Hanukkah candles, Hanukkah, Tel Aviv, Hostage Square — Family and friends hold photographs of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, as they light the Hanukkah candles in Tel Aviv. (Photo: Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

The Jerusalem Post talked to former hostage Sapir Cohen, and she shares some of her experiences in captivity. Cohen was visiting Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7 when she was taken by Hamas terrorists:

On Wednesday, a reception was held for city resident Sapir Cohen, who was kidnapped along with her partner Sasha Trupanov while they were staying at Kibbutz Nahal Oz where Sasha’s parents live; he is still being held captive by Hamas…

Sapir Cohen recounted the moments of the kidnapping: “Ten Hamas terrorists rolled me up from the blanket and led Sasha and me separately. They put me on a motorcycle, and on the way residents of Gaza stood with sticks, screamed, and threw cigarettes at me – and I tried to defend myself.

“During the captivity, there were days when I didn’t know if I would be able to survive,” she said. “I can’t expand too much, but the tunnels there are crazy things. Thank God I was saved and I hope the state will return the abductees who stayed there.”