Released Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov recalls: 'I screamed to God' for rescue

Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov, who was released from Hamas captivity in February, recalled on Thursday how, out of desperation, he screamed to God for help.

"On the 50th day, when I was on the verge of complete despair, after five days in total darkness, when all I had left to eat was one biscuit a day with a little salty water to drink, I screamed to God to get me out of there because I couldn't take it anymore," Shem Tov told an audience in his hometown Herzliya, a costal city just north of Tel Aviv.

"Five minutes later, my captor came and told me I was being moved to another place," he added, implying that God had answered his plea for help.

After Shem Tov was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023, regular rallies have been held at Dancers’ Square in Herzliya to advocate for his release.

On Thursday, Shem Tov removed his hostage portrait alongside his friends Itay and Maya Regev, a brother and sister who were also abducted from Israel during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. The Regevs were released in November 2023 as part of the first hostage agreement.

"The last time I stood on a stage was on Hamas's stage, so forgive me if I'm emotional about this moment," Shem Tov told the audience.

He recalled how difficult it was to be separated from his friend Itay.

"After Itay was returned, I felt very lonely," Shem Tov said. "I was transferred to a tunnel 40 meters deep, alone, in a closed cell for 50 days, with little food and no light. I had a flashlight that I found, and I used it for a few minutes each day so the battery wouldn't run out,” he revealed.

Shem Tov further explained that some Hamas tunnels were worse than others.

"Even in tunnels - there's a bad situation, and there's a very bad situation."

"Thank God, in the new tunnel I had light, and the amount of food increased," he recalled.

In late February, Shem Tov was released after 505 days in Hamas captivity. Israeli commentators condemned Hamas for forcing Shem Tov to kiss the forehead of his captors during the hostage release ceremony.

Ynet News Arab World Correspondent Lior Ben-Ari criticized the Hamas propaganda video, which was edited to make it appear as though Shem Tov voluntarily kissed his captors.

“The demand for a kiss and another one on the head, typical of a father-son relationship, is further proof of how well-planned Hamas' propaganda is and comes after giving gifts and souvenirs of the same value and demanding that the hostages thank them on stage. So maybe we'll explain it to them in Arabic, ‘I swear, is it possible for the kidnapped person to kiss the head of the terrorist who kidnapped him? No, of course not.’” Ben-Ari stated.

Like many other former hostages, Shem Tov is currently advocating for the return of all the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

"I know what they're feeling, and I understand how urgent it is to get them out of the hell they're in," he said. "Every day there, it's unclear if you'll remain alive or die from hunger or physical and mental abuse. We must get everyone out of there – the living for rehabilitation, and the deceased for burial."

Shem Tov thanked his family, friends and God for surviving more than 500 difficult days in Hamas captivity.

"For over a year I was alone, and I'm now learning to adjust to a new unfamiliar life," he explained. "Blessed is He who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this time."

"I am Omer Shem Tov, and I am free."