Freed Hostage: 'They held a gun to my head'

Segev Kalfon, recently released after 738 days in Hamas captivity, has spoken openly about the severe physical and psychological abuse he endured. He described a chilling incident where a Hamas commander presented hostages with a choice between execution or being shot in the leg. Kalfon recounted being starved, having his teeth broken, and facing constant threats, including a commander holding a rifle to his head.

His ordeal included being held in makeshift cells and tunnels for 16 months. Kalfon detailed the extreme deprivation of food, sometimes making a small can of beans last two days. He also spoke of being beaten in retaliation for Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's comments on Palestinian prisoners, highlighting the volatile conditions within captivity.

Kalfon was abducted on October 7, 2023, and eventually freed on October 13, 2025, as part of a cease-fire agreement. Despite his freedom, he expresses anger towards Israeli officials, believing his captivity could have been shortened and questioning why it took so long for his release.