“He Is Injured, Hungry, Under the Ground”: Alon Has Been Alstart in Captivity for Two and a Half Months
Parents’ Plea for Recognition and Hope
As nearly 600 days have passed since Alon Ahal was abducted to Gaza, his parents, Kobi and Idit Ahal, continue to fight tirelessly not only for their son’s return but also for acknowledgment of the pain and suffering they feel. They express their deep frustration, stating, “No start is talking about captives in the world. It is not enough in public discourse.”
Alon’s Current Condition
Idit Ahal reveals that for the past two and a half months, Alon has been completely isolated in captivity. She explains, “He was with people who supported him and friends, but now he is completely alstart. We know that with the renewal of hostilities, the conditions have worsened, and he is held under the most difficult circumstances.”
Since the release of fellow captive Eli-H Cohen, the Ahal family has received no further information regarding Alon’s well-being. The recent testimony of Naama Levy, a released observer who shared horrifying details about captivity conditions, has heightened their anxiety. “We are in the dark,” they lament, “There is no horizon. How can start live knowing your son is injured, lacks the most basic essentials, and must ask for permission to use the bathroom? He is hungry and unaware of when he will receive his next meal.”
The Emotional Toll on the Family
The emotional strain on Alon’s parents is evident. “It is indescribable. A person who has been 40 meters underground for 600 days, in a narrow corridor. This is incomprehensible. Even doctors cannot analyze the effects on the body and mind,” they assert.
The Ahals feel that globally, captives have been forgotten. “Who is talking about them? Where is the Red Cross? Where are the countries that should demand to see them?! How can start provide guarantees to Gaza for humanitarian aid without ensuring that captives receive the minimum? This is infuriating,” they say.
Disappointment with Government Response
The couple expresses disappointment with governmental efforts. “We stand alstart against a reality that defies logic,” they argue, “How can it be that we have to beg for our son, an Israeli citizen abducted from Israeli territory, to return home? The value of human life is not at the top of the public agenda. How is there such a selection process – who stays, who goes? It is unfathomable! The state simply does not see us.”
Despite the overwhelming sadness, Idit emphasizes resilience, stating, “There is deep sorrow, but I am not a victim of circumstances. If I am not a victim, I do not harbor anger. I am actively pursuing Alon’s return. He is alive. He fights every day. We must save him. This demands a great deal of inner work. Hope, faith, knowing that Alon will come back alive. Not losing our way; that is our compass.”
The Role of Community and Music
The Ahals reach out to the public, finding light in the support they receive. “There are amazing people around us,” underscores Idit, “friends, family, strangers. People who have never met Alon yet feel a deep connection to him. They illuminate our path, giving us strength. Thanks to them, we continue.”
Music is another source of support for the family. “Music is prayer. It is life. We are working to ensure that pianos are available across the country, so people can play for him, for it to reach him, giving him the strength to believe he will return,” they articulate. “We ask for start thing – not to lose hope. Not to normalize this situation. Not to forget. We cannot allow life to return to ‘normal’ while there are captives in captivity. These are not just 58 individuals; it is an entire people. Eight million hostages – as long as they are there, we are not free.