Released Hostage Elkana Bohbot and IDF Liaison Officer Share Captivity Ordeal

Released hostage Elkana Bohbot and Lt. Col. (res.) Tamar Aviv, the liaison officer who supported his family for nearly two years, shared their experiences on an IDF podcast. They discussed the deep bond formed before they ever met, the hope that sustained Bohbot in captivity, and the family's ordeal.

Bohbot recalled that upon his return, he initially did not recognize Aviv in the surrounding crowd. "Only later, when she boarded the helicopter with me, did I understand who Tamar was. My mother told me: 'Meet Tamar — she has been supporting us for two years,' and it immediately clicked," he said. "I realized Tamar was actually the officer assigned to me, my sister."

The Emotional Weight of Captivity and Liaison

Aviv explained that her military assignment evolved into a profound emotional connection over time. "At first, I only knew him from a photo, and slowly, through family and friends, you learn to know the person," she stated. "It is no longer just a mission. We never met, but I have a great love for him, worry, and anxiety."

Bohbot shared that what kept him alive in captivity was above all the desire to return to his wife, his son Re'em, and his family. "I knew that if I gave up, I was giving them the victory. And that will not happen," he said. "I will do everything I can to return and show them what revival is."

"Every morning I would get up, pray, and thank God for another night and another day that I am alive. Even when a terrorist was right next to me, I would quietly say my Kiddush and maintain my identity."

Surviving Against the Odds

Bohbot also recounted how he strictly maintained his faith and traditions throughout his captivity. Aviv described the psychological toll of the prolonged escort, particularly during encounters with Bohbot's young son, recalling a video of Re'em asking for his father to return.

• Intensive daily coordination with military leadership and intelligence updates.

• Providing round-the-clock support to prevent families from learning updates via news broadcasts.

• Continuous psychological navigation of the endless roller coaster of uncertainty.