Former Gaza hostage celebrates wedding as victory over Hamas

Evyatar David, a former hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, described the recent wedding of fellow former hostage Eliya Cohen as a profound "closure and a huge moment of victory" over the militant group. The 25-year-old made these remarks during his first interview with international media, CNN, detailing his harrowing experiences since his abduction from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. David spoke candidly about the lasting psychological trauma, including frequent flashbacks and nightmares, that continue to affect him daily. He revealed that his captors subjected him and other hostages to severe starvation for three months, making even basic physical tasks, like digging his own grave for a propaganda video, nearly impossible. David contrasted his own emaciated state with that of his guards, who he observed had ample food, air conditioning, and television, refuting claims of food scarcity in Gaza. He also voiced criticism of the Israeli government, stating that it has not provided sufficient support for former hostages and expressed hope that future governments will improve this situation. Reflecting on the conflict, David conveyed pessimism regarding the possibility of achieving lasting peace between Israel and Gaza, and questioned the effectiveness of initiatives like U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.

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It’s the biggest closure and a huge moment of victory.