Freed Hostage Recounts Hamas Captivity at UN; U.S. Ambassador Becomes Emotional

Freed Israeli hostage Eliya Cohen and Nova music festival survivor Ziv Abud recounted their experiences during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks at a United Nations commemoration event. Cohen, who endured 505 days in Hamas captivity, shared details of his treatment, including being chained and deprived of sleep and basic hygiene.

During an emotional discussion moderated by Dr. Phil McGraw, Cohen described the psychological toll of captivity, stating he repeatedly told himself not to think about the violence or torture, but to focus on returning home to his family.

Abud detailed the attack on the Nova music festival, where she and Cohen sought refuge in an overcrowded bomb shelter. She recounted how the shelter was attacked, resulting in the deaths of her nephew and his girlfriend, and how Cohen shielded her with bodies. Abud, one of seven survivors from the shelter, described waking up to find herself in a pile of bodies, including those of her companions.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz became visibly emotional as he recounted an incident from the night before Cohen's release. Waltz said Hamas attempted to force Cohen to record a propaganda video claiming he had been treated well, but Cohen refused. He also mentioned a second instance where Cohen refused to comply with Hamas instructions before cameras on the day of his release. "He refused again," Waltz said. "Eliya, we salute you. I salute you. You are a proud, strong Jew. You're undefeated, man."

Another survivor, Oriya Berlin, an Israeli visual intelligence observer, shared her experience of the attack on a Gaza border base. Berlin described waking to the sound of missiles and the subsequent incursion of heavily armed terrorists. She recounted hiding in a shelter with other soldiers, the fear of being discovered, and the eventual rescue by special forces after ten hours.

Berlin decided to continue her military service, joining the IDF Public Diplomacy Office to counter what she described as negative portrayals of the Israeli military. She stated her commitment to speaking out is driven by the memory of friends who did not survive.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon criticized the United Nations, asserting that the organization often demonizes and isolates Israel, turning victims into accused parties. He emphasized the personal nature of the conflict for him, with his children serving in the IDF.

Cohen concluded his testimony with a defiant message to his captors: "I won. I won and I'm here. We are here to stay." He urged others to "Stay proud to be Jewish. And stay proud to be Israeli."

The commemoration served as a platform for survivors to share their stories of resilience and survival, while also highlighting the ongoing efforts to hold Hamas accountable and ensure the safe return of all hostages.