Hostage Elkana Bohbot stitched a doll for his son using scraps of fabric while in captivity

Despite this, they say that he remembered his wedding anniversary and insisted on being able to shower as a way to honour the day. Although his captors initially denied his request, they eventually agreed to unchain him and let him wash. 

They also reported that, during his time in Gaza, Elkana saw news of his family members appealing for his release and attending rallies at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. 

Elkana made the doll using scraps of fabric (Picture: Channel 13)[Missing Credit]

Elkana was one of the 20 living hostages released back to Israel on Monday as part of the ceasefire deal, after being held in captivity in Gaza for 738 days. His son Re’em was just three-years-old when his father was abducted from the Nova festival on October 7. 

Before being kidnapped, Elkana called his wife and mother to say he was helping to evacuate the wounded before heading home. They later saw videos of him on Telegram, posted by Hamas terrorists, showing him tied-up on the floor with a bloodied face. 

Speaking at a press conference following his release, his wife Rivka said: “I am Rivka Bohbot, and my husband Elkana is home. I have been waiting to say these words for two years, and I still find it hard to believe that this is really him - that he is here.” 

She added: “Yesterday was the most emotional day of my life - even more than our wedding day or the day our son Re'em was born. Yesterday, I witnessed both my husband and Re'em being reborn. My child got his father back, and as a mother, I could not ask for more.”