Romi Gonen, who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity before her release, shared her fears last night (Wednesday) ahead of her fifth hand surgery: “I was a little scared, honestly. I didn’t have the strength to suffer again. I was afraid they’d put me under and I’d lose it all over again.” In a haunting video she posted documenting the first moments after waking from surgery, she asked her older sister Yarden—who fought tirelessly for her release—to hug her tight “and not leave.”
1+Romi took the opportunity to thank her sister, who worked relentlessly to bring her home: “Turns out all I want is you. Thank God for you—I wouldn’t have survived this without you by my side.” She also shared moments with her boyfriend, writing: “He’s by my side even when I’m not connected, manages to survive the trolling.”
During her fourth hand surgery, Gonen posted a raw and painful story on social media describing her daily struggle and the enormous difficulties in the physical and mental rehabilitation process since returning to Israel. In the post, she described the difficult reality: “This is honestly shit. Maybe you see me here smiling, but upstairs in therapy I’m crying and complaining and basically fighting to get back basic motor functions.”
1+Gonen, who was held in harsh conditions that included prolonged isolation and sexual harassment, has become one of the symbols of struggle and hope. She ended the post on an optimistic note, thanking the medical team treating her with dedication: “I’m grateful that my doctors are like family and that with God’s help, the hand is coming back.”