Ronnie Krivoy, an Israeli-Russian citizen, was among the hostages released from Hamas captivity on Sunday. Elena Majid, the 25-year-old’s aunt, shared details with the Israeli press about her days in Krivoy’s captivity. Majid told Kan public radio that Krivoy worked as a sound engineer at the Supernova music festival near the Gaza border. On October 7, Hamas terrorists attacked the festival, killing and kidnapping hundreds, including Krivoy.
At first, his family did not know what happened to him. “We received no information from anyone. Our children began piecing together information like a puzzle to understand what happened to Ronnie, whether he was injured or not, and just one week later, on October 12, we received official notification from the Israeli army that Ronnie may have been kidnapped and taken to Gaza,” Majed said.
Hamas militants hand over hostage Ronnie Krivoy to the International Committee of the Red Cross on November 26, 2023 – Photograph: Hamas military wing/Handout via Reuters
After his release, Krivoy told his family that he had managed to escape his captors and hid in Gaza for four days before being arrested again. He was originally held in a building that was eventually destroyed by Israeli air strikes, allowing him to escape for a period of time. “He managed to escape and hide on his own for several days. Eventually, the people of Gaza caught him and returned him to the terrorists,” his aunt said. “He tried to reach the border, but because he did not know where he was and where he could escape, he lost his way.” . He added that he was alone for four days.
Krivoy, 25, was born in Israel and is the youngest member of a Russian immigrant family. “His mother’s parents lived in St. Petersburg and obtained citizenship for the boy at an early age,” Majid said. “He is an Israeli citizen, and I think that the distinction between ‘13 hostages and other hostages’ in the media is inappropriate. This hurts us Israeli citizens.” Majid added that despite having some stitches in his head, Krivoy is healthy and in good physical condition.
Hamas says Krivoy’s release was a gesture to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and not as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel.
