Nov 29th, 2023

​Eitan Yahalomi
A 12-year-old boy, mocked and beaten by ‘innocent’ Palestinians, all alone, terrified, in the cold, hateful streets of Gaza.
The video went viral after October 7th, and as with all the other videos, I did my best not to see. But it was impossible to avoid them altogether, and one day I caught a glimpse of his shaking silhouette, and the back of his hand. He was crying, alone on the street, surrounded by his tormentors. The vision of his small frame had been etched in my mind’s eye ever since, and crept up to my consciousness daily, as I tried to push it away. But the image always came back, and I would wish him a silent prayer of safety, love, and a quick return.
Eitan’s aunt now reveals how Hamas tortured her nephew in captivity:
Eitan was forced to watch barbaric videos of the October 7 massacre, when he cried Hamas would force him to stop by pointing guns at him.
Such brave, honourable Freedom Fighters, they are, terrorising a defenceless child again and again.
On November 27th, Eitan was returned to his loving family; His mother, his aunt, his sisters. His father, a hostage, is still held in Gaza. Eitan is deeply traumatised, and the emotional wounds will take a long time to heal.
This morning I could finally look at his face for the first time, knowing he is returned to the safety of his mother’s loving embrace.
Thank God you are home!