Former Gaza hostage Luis Har reveals he discussed soccer, Messi with Hamas captors

Former Gaza hostage Luis Har is anticipating the World Cup final, where Argentina will face Spain, and shared his unique experiences during captivity, including discussions about soccer with his Hamas captors. Har revealed that conversations about the sport, particularly about Lionel Messi, were a recurring theme. He noted that one of his captors even kept him updated on match results while he was held hostage, though he acknowledged this information was selectively shared.

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We spoke about it here and there, mainly about Lionel Messi.

Har reflected on soccer's power to foster connection, stating, "The influence of soccer on the public brings people together." He sees this unifying power reflected in the outpouring of support he has received since his return to Israel, which he described as proof of the Jewish people's incredible nature. He remains optimistic about sports' potential to bridge cultural and political divides, believing it can connect people and communities.

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The influence of soccer on the public brings people together.

Despite his optimism, Har expressed strong reservations about the intrusion of politics into sports venues, citing instances like the Egyptian national team coach appearing with a Palestinian flag as something that "disgusts me." He also condemned fanaticism, using the intense rivalry between Boca Juniors and River Plate in Argentina as a humorous example of how passion can sometimes spill over into aggression. Har was held captive for 129 days after being kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, 2023, and was rescued in a military operation in Rafah. He also mentioned that his captors were believed to have been killed during the operation.

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It reminds me what a wonderful people we have. The support I receive from people proves that the Jewish people are something incredible.