Mother of returned hostage Elkana Bohbot shares son’s story of survival and recovery

For Ruchama Bogbot, the return of her son Elkana is both a miracle and a reminder of the pain still felt by families waiting for their loved ones to return home.

Ruchama Bohbot, mother of a returned Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbotspoke about her son's resilience, what she learned about his captivity and how he began his recovery in an interview with N12.

“I don't know how he survived,” she said on Channel 12's morning show Headshot HaBoker. “He was tied up, blindfolded, his hands and feet were tied. ill-treatmentand I felt it. He told me how he was in a pickup truck with Evyatar, Guy and Bar. He lay on top of them and was brutally beaten in the Gaza Strip.”

Elkan was only released from hospital on Sunday evening, but Ruchama said he already wants to get back to his life.

“Elkanah wants everything; he wants to fly from one place to another. He couldn't believe everything that was happening here. He was watching TV there, he saw me when his kidnappers called him to see me,” she said.

However, Ruchama warned of a lengthy recovery process. “These children are psychologically damaged,” she said. “It will leave a mark on their lives. [Elkana] still in recovery; he needs help and to land.”

Elkanah's wife Rivka and young son Raam play a significant role in this, his mother said, explaining that he spends most of his time with them.

“He spent a lot of time with Rivka,” she said. “Raam is with him all the time, he is in seventh heaven. Yesterday Elkanah took him to kindergarten and picked him up from kindergarten for the first time.”

Despite her joy at Elkana's return, Ruchama noted that the reunion will not be complete until the remains of the fallen are found. hostages are returning.

We have seen what the people of Israel have done in these two years.

“Until the last of the hostages returns, I can't close this chapter. I want to be the happiest person in the world, but we are all one big family. We have seen what the people of Israel have done in these two years; we need to stay close to the families whose loved ones are still here.”