David Ohana

Elkana Bohbot, born March 22, 1989, was an Israeli logistics manager for the Nova Music Festival production company. He was taken captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023, during the Supernova music festival. Prior to his abduction, Bohbot was involved in event production and planning to open an ice cream shop. He is married to Rebecca Gonzales, a Colombian citizen, and they have a son.

During his captivity, Bohbot was featured in multiple videos released by Hamas, filmed under duress and showing him injured and pleading for release. His family expressed distress over these staged videos, which they stated did not accurately represent him. Bohbot later reported enduring severe deprivation, physical abuse, and psychological pressure, including being chained in tunnels and receiving minimal food. He was held with other hostages and faced threats of violence during ceasefires.

After more than two years in captivity, Bohbot was released on October 13, 2025. His wife described his return as highly emotional. Post-release, he has been adjusting to life outside captivity, with his family sharing details about his experiences, including physical restraints and assaults during his transport.

Elkana Bohbot, born in Israel on March 22, 1989, resided in Mevaseret Zion. Before his capture, he worked for a production company that built stages for large events, including the Nova Music Festival, where he served as a logistics manager. Bohbot was also preparing to launch a gourmet ice cream business in Tel Aviv. On October 7, 2023, during the Supernova music festival, he was abducted by Hamas. He had informed his family that he was assisting wounded attendees after gunfire erupted. His wife, Rebecca Gonzales, a Colombian national, and their son, Re’em, were informed of his kidnapping by a friend after seeing alarming reports and receiving a call from Bohbot himself, who promised to return home.

During his more than two years of captivity, Hamas released several videos of Bohbot. In March 2025, videos surfaced showing him as 'Prisoner Number 22,' injured and pleading for release. Another staged video in April depicted a fake phone call with his family. In May 2025, a video showed him alongside Yosef-Chaim Ohana ('Prisoner Number 21'), where claims of Bohbot attempting self-harm were made, which he later refuted, stating he was coerced and injured by captors for filming purposes. His family described these videos as distressing and uncharacteristic, indicating his extreme danger.

Bohbot's family reported that he faced severe conditions, including prolonged confinement in darkness, minimal food (sometimes moldy or containing worms), physical abuse, and being chained inside tunnels, leading to a loss of time and space. He was held with other hostages and reportedly endured threats of violence during ceasefires. Advocacy efforts for his release intensified, particularly after his wife became more publicly active. His family expressed acute anxiety over his condition, urging the public not to forget him and warning that repeated 'signs of life' could become final if action wasn't taken.

Elkana Bohbot was released from Hamas captivity on October 13, 2025. His wife characterized the reunion as more emotional than their wedding day. In a post-release statement, she thanked the Israeli public, security forces, and the U.S. government for their roles in his return. She later shared that Bohbot was adjusting, albeit with some humorous difficulties like forgetting household routines. His family also recounted details of his mistreatment, including being bound, blindfolded, physically assaulted during transport, and restrained.