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How Arbel Yehud Survived 482 Days of Solitary Hell

UNCOVERED: The Horrors Arbel Yehud and other captives endured in Gaza

Arbel Yehud’s release from Hamas captivity is a bittersweet moment that reveals the depth of suffering and strength she endured over 482 long days. Most of which were spend alone in underground tunnels. Details Below. 

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Arbel Yehud's 482 Days of Captivity: The Fight for Her Life and Freedom

Arbel, who was held in solitary confinement for the entire period, recounted the horrors she faced, including severe malnutrition and being held underground with little food. The first words she spoke upon meeting her rescuers were simple but revealing: "I was mostly alone."

During her captivity, Arbel had minimal exposure to media, yet the few bits of information she did receive were devastating. Among the most shocking was the news that her brother, Dolav, had been murdered in the Hamas attack on her community of Nir Oz. Despite these horrors, Arbel’s resolve remained unbroken. She expressed that, while the images of hostages paraded through Gaza today shocked the world, they only reflected "a tenth of the evil" she and others had endured in captivity.

Arbel’s isolation was particularly harrowing. Throughout the ordeal, she was kept alone, in stark contrast to others who were sometimes held in groups. This was compounded by the cruelty of her captors. For instance, the terrorists who held her and fellow hostage Gadi Moses woke them at 5:30 in the morning, hours before their release, and forced them to wait separately, extending their suffering as part of the psychological torment.

The release of Arbel was preceded by a terrifying moment that placed her life in danger. A live broadcast on an Israeli news channel inadvertently revealed details about Arbel’s involvement in a space project, which raised immediate concerns about her safety. The Israeli government demanded her release in real-time to ensure her survival, and this led to the publication of a video from her captors showing her alive. This event prompted the immediate action that ultimately led to Arbel’s freedom.

Despite the relief of her release, Arbel’s thoughts remain with those still in captivity. She frequently asked about her partner Ariel, who is still being held, and the other hostages from her kibbutz, including her friends and community members. For Arbel, the battle is far from over, and she remains steadfast in her commitment to ensuring the safe return of everyone still held by Hamas.

In a separate report, Gadi Moses, who was also freed today, spoke about what kept him going during his time in captivity. The 80-year-old man revealed that he never broke down or cried during his ordeal, focusing instead on the belief that he would one day return home to help rebuild his kibbutz and community. His strength, like Arbel's, stemmed from the unwavering hope that they would eventually be freed.

Meanwhile, Agam Berger, the third hostage freed today, endured her own terrifying experience. Agam was held in solitary confinement for an entire week after her comrades were released last Saturday. Despite being isolated and having little exposure to media, Agam found strength in knowing that she, too, would eventually be freed. She was only briefly exposed to news reports about the release of her friends, but the knowledge that she would soon return home gave her the strength to endure the final days of captivity.

As Arbel, Agam, and Gadi finally return to their families and communities, the full extent of the emotional and physical toll of their captivity continues to emerge. For Arbel, the journey ahead will not be easy, but her resilience has proven that, even after 482 days of suffering, her spirit remains unbroken. As she begins to heal, she carries the weight of those still in captivity with her, determined to see them safely return home.

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