Shahar Mor, a cousin of 9-year-old Ohad Munder who was released from Hamas captivity in the second phase, spoke today (Monday) about the conditions in which Ohad was held captive and shared a little of what his relatives went through during the 50 days they were held in the Gaza Strip.
Ohad Munder meets his father for the first time after returning from captivity
"Ohad was discharged from the hospital and is now with his family, wrapped and hugged, trying to adjust to his new life," Shahar says. "They said that at first they were held separately, only Ohad, Ruthi and Keren. Then they were transferred to the place with other people whom they released in the first stage." Shahar also says that they did not meet any other abductees.
How were their conditions there? Did they have somewhere to sleep? What to eat?
"They moved them to a number of places. Some are underground and some above it. They say that there were places with better conditions and there were places with less favorable conditions. In any case, these are places with harsh conditions, like a tough prison."
Shahar adds that as far as the family knows, "at least they weren't abused." But notes that even to go to the bathroom, they had to wait for someone to approve them."
Shahar Mor (right) Ohad Munder's uncle, photo: uncredited
In terms of food, they ate what the guards prepared. "At first it was relatively fine in terms of nutrition. Slowly, the food was reduced. In the last two weeks, all the food has almost run out. The terrorists who guarded them told them that as a result of the IDF bombings, the bakeries were destroyed and there were no more pita breads."
How did they pass the time?
"They played cards. They had a pack of cards there that kept them busy."
Did they hear the IDF?
"Yes. They heard the IDF all the time. From what they said, it was very heavy bombing, and naturally they were terrified. Apart from the bombings, they were afraid that their guards would be hurt and then they would be exposed to the surrounding mobs. The terrorists protected them from the crowds, and were also responsible for bringing them food."
When do they realize they are being released?
"They share that suddenly a lot of Hamas people came to the place where they were being held. There was a feature. They realized that something big was happening. Then the order was given to release them."
Ohad Munder with his friends, after returning from captivity, photo: uncredited
How does a fan feel?
"A fan recovers slowly and with a lot of gentleness, love and patience. We hope he will return to normal soon. His family takes care of him in every detail. We are happy that he has been discharged from the hospital, although it is still too early to say when he will return to school."
Shahar notes that "he went through two very difficult months and is still going through difficult days. A fan is recovering from a complex reality in which he was with the same people in the same pressure cooker. He embarks on a reality in which he meets many people he knows, as well as people he does not know. Everything around him matters."
Shahar wants to give the family the time and privacy to recover from the difficult event. "The number of people they meet must be filtered, the exposure must be made redundant. They need to get back to themselves and treat themselves gently and sensitively."
Hapoel B'Sheva players with Ohad Munder, photo: Schneider Hospital Spokesperson's Office
Shahar added that Ruti's husband and Ohad's grandfather, Avraham, were still being held by Hamas and that they expected and hoped for his release.
"They're very close. Ohad is Avraham's only grandson. He is his whole world. We are a very small family. Even if Ohad was an ordinary child who was not kidnapped to Gaza, it was still a terrible trauma for him that his grandfather was brutally kidnapped. The fact that he was held captive makes it difficult and complicates the trauma."
Were the friends at the school instructed on how to treat him?
"I guess they work with his friends and explain to them how to treat him, how to accept him and how to behave. But as mentioned, the road to routine is still long."
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