Father of Freed Hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen Shares His Family's Ordeal and Hope

The Ordeal of Captivity

• 🕯️ Jonathan Dekel-Chen describes the 498 days his son, Sagui, was held hostage by Hamas as a "living hell" from October 7th, 2023, until his release on February 14th.
• 👶 He likens the experience of his son's return to having a "newborn 36-year-old son," emphasizing the profound trauma and the need for rebuilding.
• 💔 Kibbutz Nir Oz, Sagui's home, was ground zero for the massacre, with a vast proportion of hostages—between a quarter and a third—coming from this small community.

Sagui's Experience in Captivity

• 🚇 Sagui endured 498 days in Hamas terror tunnels, experiencing little to no sunlight, minimal medical care, constant malnutrition, and horrific sanitary conditions.
• ⚠️ He faced the dual threat of death from his Hamas captors and from potential "friendly fire" due to Israeli bombing and artillery.
• 🤕 Sagui was wounded in the shoulder and leg during the October 7th attack and received initial treatment before being taken into the tunnels.

The Path to Freedom and Reunion

• 🤝 The first positive proof of life came in late November/early December 2023, through released hostages who had encountered Sagui in captivity.
• 👀 Upon his release, Jonathan recognized his son immediately by his eyes, despite the uncertainty of his physical and mental state.
• ❤️ Sagui's family, including his wife Avital and two older daughters, experienced an immediate renewal of their relationship, while Sagui is now building a connection with his baby daughter, born after his abduction.

Rebuilding and Moving Forward

• 🎶 Sagui, who is musical, wrote songs while in captivity and has begun putting them to music, aiming to give hope to Israelis and remaining hostages.
• ⚽ He was also honored by his favorite soccer team, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, highlighting the extraordinary embrace of hostages and their families by the Israeli people.
• 🕊️ Jonathan emphasizes that true peace in the region is impossible as long as Hamas or similar organizations rule, advocating for the people of Gaza to be given something positive to build and protect.

The Plight of Remaining Hostages

• 🎗️ Sagui's biggest challenge is the knowledge that 59 hostages, including young fathers, remain in captivity, making their immediate release his top priority.
• 🏡 Kibbutz Nir Oz is currently uninhabitable, with the community divided on whether to rebuild on the same site or relocate, a decision complicated by the ongoing captivity of their neighbors.
• 🙏 Jonathan's message to the world includes thanks to President Trump for his intervention and a plea for prayers for the welfare of the hostages and the strength of leaders to secure their release.