Eighty-year-old Gadi Mozes, released Thursday from Hamas captivity as part of the hostage deal, endured his entire captivity in isolation, paralleling the experience of fellow hostage Arbel Yehoud. Their first human contact with other Israelis came when they met each other – both residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Their release photos generated widespread concern as Gaza crowds surrounded them, delaying their progress toward the transfer point into Israel. These disturbing scenes prompted a temporary suspension in the release of Palestinian security prisoners from Israeli detention facilities.
hostage The journal chronicled his days in captivity and tracked his movements across Gaza. Through negotiation with his captors, he secured access to English-language books and established a daily walking routine within his confined space. As previously revealed in released footage, he occasionally accessed news through radio and television broadcasts, where he witnessed interviews with his family members.
Mozes was the first taken among six members of the Katz-Mozes-Asher family captured on October 7 and the final one to regain freedom. His partner, Efrat Katz, was also abducted from their Nir Oz home but lost her life alongside her captors when their vehicle was hit. Her daughter Doron and two young granddaughters, though in the same vehicle, survived the strike. His former wife, Margalit, also kidnapped from Nir Oz, was freed with Doron and her daughters during the initial hostage exchange in November 2023.
A professional agronomist and passionate farmer, Mozes dedicated his career to agricultural development, including advisory work in developing nations. Post-retirement, he created a community vegetable garden and pursued grape cultivation as a wine enthusiast. Family members describe him as deeply affectionate and nurturing. In IDF-released footage from the hospital following his Thursday release, Mozes displayed his characteristic determination, pledging, "I will do everything in my power to rebuild Nir Oz."
