‘I believe God saved me’: Former Israeli hostage shares story of survival from Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla. (WSNN) — For 505 days, Omer Shem Tov lived in darkness.

The former Israeli hostage was just 19 years old when Hamas kidnapped him during the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023. He was held underground in Gaza — moving between tunnels, sleeping on concrete floors, and clinging to faith to survive.

“On the first two weeks in captivity, I was very in denial and blaming God for everything,” he said. “Why me? Why me? Why me? I’m not a thief. I’m not a murderer. I was just having fun at a party.”

As the days turned into months, Omer said his anger began to fade — replaced by something unexpected: peace.

“I was in complete darkness,” he said. “I thought I was going crazy. And after some time, I found peace. I believe God saved me — and that’s it.”

During one transfer between tunnels, Omer remembers hearing explosions above him — the war raging just overhead.

When his Hamas captors returned, they carried with them a pile of Hebrew books they had found. Among them was a small prayer card, with words about trusting that God will save and protect you. It was the same passage his mother used to read to him before bed.

“That same song — my mother used to read it in my room,” Omer said.

When the captors realized he could read Hebrew, they asked him to translate. Omer made a deal: he would cook and clean for them if they allowed him to keep that small book and prayer card. They agreed.

He held onto it for the rest of his captivity, a single piece of faith in a place with no light.

Since his release in February, Omer has traveled the world sharing his story, speaking about the peace he found in the darkness, and the light he now tries to pass on.

“After you experience true darkness, you experience true life,” he said. “I try to share this light with some people… and I see their reaction.”

And when people tell him how his story has changed them — he says that keeps him going.

“They tell me I save them — because of me, they do or they don’t do things,” he said. “It’s amazing to see. It gives me a lot of energy and a lot of strength.”

From the depths of a tunnel to stages across the world, Omer Shem Tov said he carries that same prayer card — and the belief that faith, even in darkness, can be enough to save a life.