Hundreds of Israelis on Tuesday gathered in the West Bank town of Leshem to welcome home the released Gaza hostage Avinatan Or after eight days in the hospital.
“We’re so moved to see you here in Samaria, a free Jew with your head held high. We’re here to win together! Am Yisrael Chai!” Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, told him.
Or, who lives in Shiloh, exited his car to greet the dancing crowd and thanked them for their support.
“This week I’ve heard from my whole family how every part of the people of Israel helped and stood with us, and I thank you. Our strength is in our unity, and I hope we continue in that spirit. No one can defeat us when we are together!” he said.
His brother Moshe Or and Moshe’s wife, Yael, thanked the residents of Leshem for the help and support they provided while Or was in captivity.
“Throughout these two years, while everyone faced their own hardships, you never stopped standing by us as a community, asking, offering help, supporting us in countless ways, and most importantly, reminding us we were not alone… Thank you for coming to greet him at the hospital and to rejoice with us. May we continue to stand together for one another, and only in times of joy!”
A loyal partner: Avinatan Or
Avinatan Or, partner of rescued hostage Noa Argamani, spent over two years in Hamas captivity after terrorists kidnapped him from the Nova Music Festival in Re’im.
The 32-year-old second-born of seven brothers was planning to move in with his girlfriend before terrorists snatched him from Argamani, who was dragged away on the back of a quadbike, crying “Don’t kill me!” while reaching for Or.
They had spent hours hiding in a ditch after trying to flee by car when Hamas discovered them. Or had reportedly had the opportunity to escape but did not want to leave behind his girlfriend “at the hands of the monsters,” his mother, Ditza Or, told the Jewish Chronicle. “I have thought about what would have happened if he had escaped, but I know he would have never forgiven himself. He wouldn’t have [been] able to live with himself. So, he was very loyal, and I'm proud of him for that.”