Ofer Kalderon describes captivity in Gaza in his first interview since release
Ofer Kalderon hugged his family after being released from Hamas captivity on February 1, 2025. (Photo source: GPO)
Kalderon shares details about getting to know Yahya Sinwar, the notorious former Hamas leader.
“I've been betrayed by my country, I'm an excellent citizen, and I don't understand everything I have,” he said in his first interview since the Hamas terrorist group was released in February.
Kalderon spoke to N12 on Friday, talking about the trauma that has plagued him since his release, saying “The body has a death instinct. You are physically alive, but you feel dead.”
He recalls the terrorists kidnapped his family on October 7, and in addition to his eldest son Gaia, he lives outside his Tel Aviv apartment in Nir Oz.
“I cried for a lifetime because I realized I could do nothing. I had a gun, but how do I protect my children in this situation?” he said.
According to N12, he encountered hostages Adina Moshe, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Zangauker, Sagi Dekel Chen, David Cunio, Eitan and Iair Horn and Yarden Bibas while in prison.
After being released from Gaza on February 1, 2025, hostages with IDF officials were released with IDF officials (credit: IDF spokesperson's unit)
He revealed to N12 that he also met Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
He told Israeli sources: “He walked through the tunnel and talked to us. I recognized him immediately.”
Crowdfunding event opening for Calderon
Kalderon, who was destroyed in Nir Oz's woodworking shop on October 7, said he was unable to return to Kibbutz's life due to the pain of memories, and is now posting on social media, while also seeking help from the public on Friday night, while also on social media on Friday night to rebuild his life and become a father who can support his family.
The bike group he rode with before the kidnapping carried out crowdfunding for Kalderon because his woodworking shop was his only source of income.
“I never thought I would write a post like this,” he said. “But today I know I have no choice and something has to come out of me. I still haven't really recovered from my life during the 484 days of Hamas captivity. My dream is to feel like a father who can protect my children and family again.
“The morning of October 7th was the moment when my life collapsed. In front of my eyes, I was injured and bleeding, and Hamas terrorists kidnapped my two children, the 16-year-old Saharans, who were only 12 years old, who were only 12 years old at the time. Then I was dragged to Gaza, humiliated and helpless. And never let me go,” he said on social media.
“People ask me if I'll be back there, I can't even imagine it. Every corner of Kibbutz is a memory of nightmare, which has become my life.”
Hamas militants are part of the ceasefire and part of the deal between hostage prisoners between Hamas and Israel since the deadly attack on October 7, 2023, taken with the video from Khan Younis, Southern Gaza Strip.
His family said he lost 25 kilograms during his imprisonment weeks after his release. Kalderon also suffered from pneumonia within a few days of his release from the hospital and had to reconsider it.
According to a statement from the crowdfunding campaign, Calderon now lives in Kiryat Gat and said the sport was intended to keep Calderon “off the horror memories, the chance to recover and open a new woodworking shop, which is part of his real recovery.”
As of the early hours of Saturday, the final goal of the campaign had crossed. However, links to further donations can be found here.
Dr. Itay Gal contributed to this report.
