After 505 days in Hamas captivity, Omer Shem Tov was released today from Hamas captivity as part of the hostage deal. This is his story.
Omer was abducted from the Nova festival and held captive together with his friends Mia and Itai Regev, who were released as part of the hostage deal. During the abduction, Omer shared his real-time location with his family, and they watched him enter Gaza's territory, unable to help him. That night, Hamas already released a video showing Omer tied up with Itai in a pickup truck driving into Gaza.
Omer is the youngest of three siblings. According to his mother Shelly Shem Tov, before his abduction he worked as a waiter while pursuing his interest in music, particularly focusing on organizing events and working as a DJ.
His mother, who hasn't stopped fighting for his release, wrote previously: "My son is a 21-year-old young man. I'm waiting for his hug, waiting to enter his room in the morning and see him sleeping, to stroke his hair and give him a good morning kiss. I'm waiting for him to sing loudly in the shower, waiting for him to open the door after a workday and call out to me 'Mamo I'm home', give me a hug and three kisses on the cheek. Waiting for him to make me laugh. Waiting for him to sit and tell me about things he's considering and wants advice about. I am Omer's mother and I'm waiting for him to return..."
Former hostage Mia Regev and her brother Itai frequently mention Omer and the urgency to release him. His friends describe a unique person who makes the most of every day. Each day in his life is filled with moments of happiness, freedom, and love. He's always surrounded by friends, partying or working as a waiter and saving for a big trip while melting everyone's hearts with his smile.
Omer Shem Tov will be released on humanitarian grounds. "My Omer suffers from asthma and needs his inhaler daily, he suffers from breathing difficulties and it's a great hardship to spend whole days there without the inhaler," his father Malki said, adding that Itai shared that Omer struggled with breathing difficulties in captivity.
