A 9-year-old Munder fan released this week experienced one memorable moment of hope in captivity.
It happened exactly on his birthday, on the day we all hung a red balloon in his honor in the hope that he would be released – 23/10.
The family turned to celebrities to congratulate him in order to raise awareness, one of them was Elinav Barda, the coach of Hapoel B’Sheva, Ohad’s beloved team.
During his captivity, Ohad was forced to change hiding places again and again, and from time to time the prisoners who were at his side were also exchanged.
On the same birthday, another boy (who had already been released) who had no prior acquaintance with a fan entered the hiding place, the boy asked: “Are you a fan?”, a fan replied: “Yes”,
The next part was amazing:
The boy continues: “Congratulations on your birthday!”
A fan was shocked and asked how did he know he had a birthday?
The answer was: “I saw on TV (yes, some of them are watching us) that Elinav Barda congratulated you and said he was waiting for your return.”
A fan who until then had been detained and strong in captivity and did not cry at all, broke down and cried with emotion at the gesture of the Hapoel B.S. coach.
The family says that the video gave him great hope and strength to continue surviving in captivity until his release!
Sometimes we do things to strengthen and encourage the abductees and are not aware of where every blessing and action can go.
Our actions give hope to us as well, but apparently also to the abductees. We must never stop believing and giving hope.
Credit: Sharon Nissim
*Details of the story with the approval of the family and the army
Pictured: A fan and players of Hapoel Be’er Sheva a day after Ohad’s return home