A man held hostage by Hamas for more than 500 days in Gaza spoke out at an event in suburban Highland Park on Wednesday night.
Omer Shem Tov, who was taken hostage from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, ultimately spent 505 days in Hamas captivity before finally being released in March 2025 as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and the terrorist organization.
Now, with 10 more hostages set to be released amid continuing talks between Israel and Hamas, Shem Tov shared his experiences and stories from his fight to survive with a captivated audience in the Chicago area.
“I remember there was gunshots everywhere we just ran for our lives,” he said, recounting the day he was taken hostage. “(He) shoves me to the ground and he ties my hands behind my back.”
Shem Tov told the audience he spent most of his time in Gaza locked in a dark, underground tunnel with little food.
“I felt like I was an animal in a cage,” he said. “It was a horrible feeling.”
He described the way he was starved by his captors in the “pitch black, total darkness.” He described being able to feel the bones in his shoulders and rib cage as he continued to hope that he would be freed.
Now 23 years old, Shem Tov also shared stories from the day he was released from Hamas captivity, describing the first hug that he had felt in a year and a half.
“That’s all I needed was a hug. Any human being, we need a bit of warmth and love,” he said.
Now, with negotiations ongoing between Israel and Hamas, there is one thing that animates him and fills him with purpose.
“It’s my life mission to bring all 50 remaining hostages back home,” he said.
Steve Sarowitz, owner of the Wayfarer Theater, praised Shem Tov’s candor in describing his experience.
“I don’t think anyone should suffer like he did, regardless of country or religion nobody should suffer like he did,” he said.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington this week to speak to President Donald Trump amid the current negotiations aimed at ending the nearly two-year long conflict.
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