Freed Hostage Eliya Cohen Proclaims his Faith in the Place he was Abducted From

In a moment filled with hope, pain, and closure, hostage survivor Eliya Cohen returned to the shelter from which he was kidnapped on the dark day of October 7. He was accompanied by his partner Ziv Avod, also a survivor of the Nova music festival, and by members of the “Together We Will Win” organization, which has supported the couple since their release. Cohen put on tefillin (phylacteries) at the very place he was taken from and separated from Ziv, until his release from Hamas captivity at the end of February.

The emotional visit was accompanied by Shai and Natan Graucher, founders of the “Together We Will Win” organization, who are supporting dozens of returned hostages and their families.

Eliya Cohen | Photo: Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters“I say again the same words I said just before the kidnapping”

On his Instagram account, Eliya posted a video from the visit and wrote: “From the exact spot where I was taken, I say again the same words I said just before the kidnapping. ‘Shema Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad.’”

As previously reported, Eliya Cohen also attended the Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) ceremony with his family during Passover. He posted a photo from the Western Wall plaza with the caption: “A dream to reach this moment. My first time at the Kotel since.”