Former Hamas hostage speaks at Elon University: ‘This is my victory’
ELON, N.C. (WGHP) — On October 7, 2023, the world watched in horror as Hamas terrorists launched a series of attacks on Israel.
One of the targets was the Nova Music Festival, where Moran Yanai was selling jewelry.
More than 300 concert-goers were killed at the music festival, and 44 people, including Yanai, were taken hostage.
“I found myself being caught by 13 Hamas terrorists … It was very, very, very aggressive,” Yanai said.
On Tuesday, in front of an audience of Elon University students, Yanai described the conditions she lived through while in captivity.
“I had two broken legs. I had severe bruises all over my body … Knowing that a person comes to you every single day … and says, ‘No one looks for you. No one cares about you. You’re going to stay here no matter what’ and still having this amount of faith inside myself. All I have to say is being grateful 110% because I don’t know where this strength came from,” Yanai said.
After 54 days, Yanai says her captors eventually released her, leading to an emotional reunion with her family.
“I literally won. This is my victory,” Yanai said.
It’s a victory and testimony she now shares with the world, with the hopes that history doesn’t repeat itself.
“When I was released, I said to myself, ‘I don’t want to be rescued. I don’t want to be running away from this place. I’m going to walk on my two feet from this place,’” Yanai said.
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