Bilal Ziyadne, an 18-year-old recently freed after enduring over 50 days of Hamas captivity, recounts his harrowing experience in an interview with Channel 13 News, as reported by The Times of Israel.
Bilal, who was held captive alongside three family members, disclosed that despite receiving enough food to stave off hunger, the fear they experienced made it challenging to recall their conversations during captivity. On October 7, when he, his sister Aisha, older brother, and father were kidnapped, Bilal told his captors that they were Arabs. However, he revealed, “They said to us, even though we’re Arabs, they’re kidnapping us.”
Throughout their ordeal, Bilal and his family were unaware of other hostages’ existence, intensifying their sense of isolation. As the conflict persisted, they began losing hope, fervently praying for their release.
Bilal highlighted the contrast between their treatment and that of other Israeli hostages, noting that all four of them were provided with mattresses, pillows, and blankets. Despite his apprehension about Israeli airstrikes, Bilal expressed greater concern for those who remained in captivity, empathizing with their plight. He stated, “I feel and I know what they’re going through.”
