Gijzelaar Eliya Found Chained in Tunnel, Unaware Girlfriend is Alive

tel aviv - Ziv Abud receives news of boyfriend's imminent release after enduring 500 days of captivity in Gaza.

Gijzelaar Eliya Found Chained in Tunnel, Unaware Girlfriend is Alive

Ziv Abud is overwhelmed by the news that her boyfriend, Eliya, is one of the six hostages set to be released this Saturday. Eliya has been held captive under harrowing conditions, chained in a tunnel, barely fed, with a gunshot wound in his foot.

Those released last week shared the horrific conditions Eliya endures and his unawareness of Abud surviving the 'bunker of death' over a year ago. Abud learned from Eliya's mother that he had planned to propose, keeping it a surprise from her. The dream of their wedding still lives on.

After a harrowing day tomorrow, with Hamas handing over four bodies, including likely the mother and baby of the Bibas family, Saturday brings hope as six hostages, the last living captives in phase one, will be freed. The focus will then shift to the next phase.

Tal Shoham will reunite with his children after their release in 2023, while Omer Wenkert's mother fears for his health, knowing he suffered from severe malnutrition. The joy of some families contrasts with the struggle of Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, finally set free after a decade in Gaza.

The release of the six captives marks the beginning of negotiations for the next phase of the agreement, aiming to end the war in exchange for freeing the remaining 59 hostages. Pressure mounts on Israel as Hamas, backed by Trump, pushes for a collective release, while Netanyahu demands Hamas' complete withdrawal from Gaza.

Trump's controversial plan for Gazans to relocate elsewhere is seen as a solution, albeit voluntary. Netanyahu's party member, Minister of Communication Shlomo Karhi, calls for Gazans' deportation.