Français
Español
English
Portuguese
Eliya Cohen, who was wounded, then abducted and held in Gaza for 505 days, shared a video message before the procedure, asking for prayers.
By Shula Rosen
Former Hamas hostage Eliya Cohen said Thursday that he is undergoing surgery on his foot ahead of his planned wedding, citing injuries sustained during his abduction on Oct. 7 and the trauma that delayed treatment, Ynet reported.
Cohen, who was wounded, then abducted and held in Gaza for 505 days, shared a video message before the procedure, asking for prayers.
“I want to ask — pray that the surgery goes well, that with God’s help I will be able to stand on my feet, that with God’s help I will stand under my wedding canopy with Ziv and be able to step on the glass,” he said. “There is nothing in the world I want more than that. That will be the greatest victory of all.”
He said the injury dates back to the day of his capture. “On Oct. 7, I was abducted to Gaza with a completely shattered foot from the gunfire into the shelter,” he said, adding that the experience left lasting trauma that made seeking treatment difficult.
“To be honest, going to a hospital is something that is very difficult for me because of trauma I experienced in a hospital in Gaza,” he said.
“That’s also one of the reasons I’m not undergoing rehabilitation in a hospital — the place is very triggering for me.”
Cohen said he postponed the operation and expressed concern about its outcome. “I also have a very big fear that this surgery won’t go well, which basically means I won’t be able to stand at my own wedding,” he said. “But I want to follow the path of faith and believe everything will be OK.”
“Recite a psalm; pray for Eliya son of Sigalit that this surgery will succeed,” he urged.
Cohen proposed to his partner, Ziv Aboud, in October.
The two were among thousands at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, where they sought shelter along Route 232, near Kibbutz Re’im.
Sixteen people were killed in the shelter, including Aboud’s nephew, Amit Ben Aviva, and his girlfriend, Karin Schwartzman. Aboud survived, while Cohen was abducted along with Or Levy, Alon Ohel and the late Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Following his release a year and two months ago, Cohen returned to the site and recalled the actions of Aner Shapira, who was among those killed in the shelter. Shapira, recognized as a hero, threw back at Hamas terrorists seven explosive grenades that were tossed into the shelter, saving several lives.
“Out of nowhere, he said: ‘We can’t let them kill us like this,’” Cohen said.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
