From hostage to hopelessness: A survivor tells his suffering

From hostage to hopelessness: A survivor tells his suffering

Tal Shoham, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, 2023, has drawn a grim assessment of his experiences after 505 days in captivity. “The eyes of the Hamas terrorists were full of murderous desire,” he describes in an interview. The kibbutz, located just four kilometers from Gaza and once a peaceful place, has now degenerated into a ruin that reflects the horrors of the conflict. This is Shoham's third visit to the site of his abduction, and the returnee describes this return as extremely painful. During his captivity, Shoham endured enormous psychological and physical stress, with the uncertainty over his family's fate weighing heavily on him most. Fortunately, he was able to reunite with his family, except for his father-in-law, who was murdered the day he was kidnapped.

Shoham, who had several conversations with his captors, also says that he sees no hope for peace in the current generation in Gaza. In his eyes, the hatred that is rampant in this society is further encouraged by the education system and textbooks. Shoham believes it will be at least a generation before there is a real chance for peace. This pessimistic view is confirmed by the statements of experts.

Psychological consequences of being held hostage

The psychiatrist and psychotherapist Mr. Jatzko deals intensively with the psychological effects of being held hostage and keeps an eye on the complex situation in Gaza. Jatzko emphasizes that hostages often suffer from great uncertainty about their release, which leads to severe psychological stress. The constant fear of violence and uncertainty massively increase the psychological consequences. Hope is crucial to remaining psychologically stable. Community and emotional support play a central role in promoting the psychological well-being of those affected.

Children react differently to being held hostage than adults and require special therapeutic approaches. The psychological situation of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip also remains tense. Many suffer from fear and loss, and the constant danger creates an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The WHO is concerned about the long-term psychological consequences of the conflict and is calling for psychosocial support for the population in Gaza.

The shadow of trauma

The constant siren alarms in Israel and certain areas of the West Bank create a climate of fear. According to Rahel Bachem, psychotraumatologist at the Psychological Institute at the University of Zurich, the constant threat is leading to a decline in resilience among the civilian population. Traumatic experiences can lead to anger and feelings of revenge and further reduce the willingness for dialogue between the parties to the conflict. The psychological pressure is increased by the constantly repeated images of violence, which further fragments society.

A dialogue between the parties to the conflict appears extremely difficult, especially as mutual mistrust is constantly growing. The trauma suffered in this conflict can be passed on to future generations. Communication about trauma in raising children is crucial to breaking social mistrust and spirals of violence.

It is clear that coming to terms with the past and a strong focus on dialogue and reconciliation are essential to overcome collective trauma and prevent future conflicts. Transitional justice that includes accountability and restoration could provide a path to healing.