The individual experiences of siblings Maya and Itay Regev captured and separated by Hamas during the Gaza conflict.
What it’s about
Maya Regev, a 21-year-old Israeli woman, and her brother Itay suffered severe injuries and were taken hostage in Gaza following a cross-border terrorist incident by Hamas. Maya’s first-hand account details the ordeal, including her leg surgery in a Gaza hospital and notes exchanged with her brother to sustain hope and resilience.
Why it matters
This personal narrative underscores the human cost of the conflict and the plight of civilians caught in the midst of hostilities. It highlights the psychological and physical trauma endured by hostages and adds urgency to ongoing mediation efforts for the release of remaining captives.
By the numbers
Hamas’s October 7 attack led to approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths, with over 240 hostages taken. Of these, 105 were released during a temporary truce, leaving 129 in captivity. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have killed an estimated 8,500 terror operatives in retaliatory actions, with over 21,800 deaths reported by Gaza’s health authorities — numbers that include both civilian casualties and Hamas fighters, the latter sometimes as a result of their own misfired rockets.
The backdrop
Maya Regev was allowed a makeshift hospital treatment in Gaza for her severe leg wound which was conducted under less than ideal conditions, later describing her injury during an emotional interview. Her brother Itay and their friend Omer Shem Tov shared a similar plight and made attempts to communicate via handwritten notes to assure mutual well-being.
The human impact
While Maya has since reunited with her family and Itay has been released, their friend Omer Shem Tov remains a hostage. Both siblings were among those freed in a short-lived ceasefire but continue to bear the physical and emotional scars of their experience. The death of fellow hostage Guy Iluz, with whom Maya formed a connection in the hospital, has added personal grief to the broader tragedy.
The international angle
Qatari and Egyptian negotiators are actively engaged in attempting to secure a more permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Meanwhile, the IDF sustains military operations in Gaza, pushing for the freedom of the remaining captives.
The road ahead
Despite their release, Maya and Itay’s story highlights the ongoing issues within the Gaza conflict, including the need for continued efforts to free those still held by Hamas and to address the complex challenges of ensuring security and humanitarian needs in the region. Their brother’s determination reflects a collective sentiment that the crisis is far from resolved.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.