Omer Shem Tov's father opens up: "The adrenaline has started to fade; he

Nearly three weeks after Omer Shem Tov’s release from Hamas captivity, his father, Malki, offered a glimpse into his son’s emotional and physical state during an interview this morning on Ynet’s studio. “The adrenaline is starting to fade,” Malki said. “He’s more subdued now, but we expected this. You can’t sustain that euphoria forever.” Omer, held for 450 days in a cramped Gaza tunnel, is “slowly sharing more and more,” his father added, shedding light on the grueling conditions he endured.

Omer’s ordeal began with 50 days in what he described as a “very small, very crowded” tunnel, where standing was impossible, water was scarce and salty, and food dwindled to a single biscuit daily. “They’d close the door, and that was it,” Malki recounted. “He had a flashlight, but the battery died after a few hours.” The father struggled to fathom the experience: “Deep underground, in total darkness, locked in a tiny cell, entirely dependent on whether your captors bring food—it’s beyond imagination.”

Conditions fluctuated with external events. Malki noted that Omer faced harsher treatment when hostage negotiations faltered or after senior Hamas figures, like Yahya Sinwar, were killed. “When talks stalled, he felt their disappointment,” he said. “I think they wanted it to end too. But after assassinations, when other commanders visited, it got unpleasant.” For all but those first 50 days—shared with fellow hostage Itay—Omer was alone with his captors.

Now under care at Schneider Hospital, Omer is supported by psychologists and a dedicated medical team. His resilience shone through during a recent White House visit with other freed hostages, where U.S. President Donald Trump told him he has “a great future ahead.” Malki highlighted Omer’s commitment: “Even in the hospital, he said, ‘I’ll do whatever’s needed.’ He wants to support the others still held.”

The father also reflected on the broader hostage crisis. “Omer said the airstrikes scared him most,” he said, acknowledging the Israeli Air Force’s efforts while grappling with their unintended impact. “I’ve read about Avinatan’s situation—it’s tough to think about. They’re already captives, paralyzed. Why the cruelty?”

Omer’s story emerges amid Israel’s ongoing efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages, a process complicated by military operations and stalled talks. His father’s account offers a raw, personal lens on captivity’s toll, even as the family navigates his recovery. “We’re working on things to help him—and others,” Malki said, hinting at future advocacy. For now, Omer’s gradual openness signals both healing and the long road ahead.

Ynet contributed to this article.