Hostage Survivor Segev Kalfon Embraces the Children Who Never Stopped Praying

Freed Hamas captive Segev Kalfon, who learned that children had been praying for him while he was held in captivity and eagerly awaiting his return, went to visit them in kindergartens across the city of Dimona, where he lives. During the visit, he also planted a tree in honor of Tu Bishvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees.

Captive in Gaza

Segev Kalfon grew up in Dimona, an Israeli city in the Negev, south-east of Beersheba, the middle child of three siblings. On October 7, 2023, he was abducted by Hamas terrorists during the terror attack at the Nova Music Festival, where hundreds of civilians, mostly young adults attending the rave, were murdered, and scores of others taken hostage. He spent 738 days in captivity in Gaza, held in harsh conditions in Hamas’ underground tunnels where he endured starvation, beatings and psychological abuse before being freed as part of a ceasefire deal on October 13, 2025. During his imprisonment, he and other hostages were repeatedly mistreated by their captors, with Kalfon later describing life underground as a daily struggle for survival. Before his abduction, he worked at his family’s bakery in Arad and was studying finance; his family and friends prayed and campaigned tirelessly for his release throughout his time in captivity.

Around two months after his release from Hamas captivity, following nearly two years of imprisonment, Segev Kalfon set out on a deeply moving journey of gratitude to those who carried him in their hearts and prayers throughout the long and painful ordeal.

The Children’s Prayers

Today (Thursday), Segev began his thanksgiving tour, in what he described as the purest and most sincere place of all: dozens of kindergartens throughout Dimona.

While in captivity, Segev learned of the heartfelt acts carried out by the kindergarten children on his behalf: they offered prayers, wrote letters of encouragement and love, baked Shabbat challahs shaped like a key as a symbol of opening doors and the hope for freedom, and sent him waves of innocent faith and belief.

This morning, accompanied by his father Kobi and Dimona Mayor Benny Bitton, Segev embarked on an intensive round of visits. The first stop was Hadas Kindergarten, where dozens of excited children welcomed him with cries of “Welcome home” and the song “Better and Better” (“Od Yoter Tov”) , a song of affirmation of God’s goodness that has become an anthem of this period.

Life and Growth

The children posed for photos with Segev, while the kindergarten teachers and educational aides read moving blessings they had prepared in advance and presented him with decorated certificates filled with words of support, love, and hope. At the conclusion of the gathering, and immediately after the singing of the national anthem, Segev stepped into the kindergarten courtyard and planted a tree in honor of the Trees’ New Year, Tu Bishvat – a tree symbolizing growth, life, and continuity.

For many hours, despite visible exhaustion, Segev went from one kindergarten to the next. To every child he gave a warm hug, a kiss, and a word of thanks – a small yet profound gesture that closed a circle of faith, prayer, and human connection, transforming his journey of gratitude into a deeply moving communal moment.