Today, the State of Israel marks 300 days since the onset of the Swords of Iron War. Three hundred days ago, we experienced the worst terror attack since the inception of the State.
We paid a price too heavy to bear. Villages were seized, women were raped, children and citizens were murdered and taken hostage. An unfathomable sea of bereavement and pain. Tens of thousands of residents from northern and southern Israel still live as refugees in our own country.
115 hostages are still in held Gaza.
Ohed Yahalomi is one of the hostages, abducted from his home in Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, together with his 12-year-old son Eitan.
Eitan was released after 52 days in captivity.
For many years, Ohed worked in the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Ohed is a true outdoorsman and an exceptional teacher who often volunteered with residents of the ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran rehabilitation village.
When Ohed first came to the village, he met a significant challenge. Residents of ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran have intellectual developmental disabilities, and their physical abilities are very limited. Ohed decided to take the residents out for a hike, to investigate, explore and experience the beauty of our wonderful country despite the difficulties inherent in such a venture.
Ohed does not give up easily. He made nature accessible to village residents, enabling them to feel the fresh air of the Negev and the heights of Masada. Ohed brought nature to those unable to make the excursion into nature. He organized outstanding events through the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and brought activities directly into the village. Residents made pita bread in a tandoori oven, held and pet a variety of snakes, squeezed fresh orange juice and rode mountain bikes within the village compound.
Ohed did not give up on any resident, and we are not giving up on Ohed! We eagerly, earnestly and impatiently wait to welcome Ohed back to ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran.
115 hostages are waiting to return home. An entire nation awaits their arrival.
Major-Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog
Chairman of the Executive, The Jewish Agency of Israel
Founder and Chairman, ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran
