Elkana Bohbot: How an Ice Cream Shop Owner Became a Prisoner of War in Gaza

Elkana Bohbot, 24, was one of the estimated 200 captives taken by Hamas on Saturday during its surprise assault on Israel, which has responded with devastating airstrikes and siege of the Gaza Strip. The video, which was released by Hamas as part of its propaganda campaign, shows Bohbot being dragged into a truck by masked gunmen as he begs for his life.

Bohbot’s brother, Uriel, was shocked and terrified to find out that his brother had been captured by Hamas when he saw the video on social media. “I can see that he’s afraid, he’s so scared … hopefully, he’s still alive,” he told ABC News. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to help him.”

Bohbot’s family and friends have launched a campaign to raise awareness and demand his release. They have posted photos and messages of support for him on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #FreeElkana. They have also contacted Israeli authorities and international organizations to intervene and secure his safe return.

Who is Elkana Bohbot?

Elkana Bohbot is a young Israeli man who lives in Tel Aviv. He is known for owning an ice cream shop called “Elkana’s Ice Cream” in the city center. He is described by his friends as a kind, cheerful, and generous person who loves music and animals.

Bohbot was attending the Supernova Festival, a popular trance music event held near the border with Gaza, when Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Saturday. According to witnesses, Hamas militants infiltrated the festival grounds and opened fire at random, killing and injuring hundreds of people. They also took many hostages, including Bohbot, and drove them away in trucks.

Bohbot was wearing a blue shirt and jeans when he was captured. He has brown hair and eyes, and a distinctive tattoo of a lion on his right arm. His family and friends are hoping that someone will recognize him and help him escape from his captors.

What is Hamas?

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist militant group that controls the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union, and many other countries. It has fought several wars with Israel over the years, launching rockets and suicide bombings against Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Hamas claims to be fighting for the liberation of Palestine from Israeli occupation and oppression. It rejects any peace negotiations or recognition of Israel’s right to exist. It also opposes the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank under an interim agreement with Israel.

Hamas has a political wing and a military wing. The political wing is led by Ismail Haniyeh, who serves as the prime minister of Gaza. The military wing is led by Mohammed Deif, who is considered one of Israel’s most wanted terrorists. He has survived several assassination attempts by Israel.

Hamas has received financial and military support from Iran, Qatar, Turkey, and other countries that are hostile to Israel. It has also forged alliances with other Islamist groups in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Why did Hamas attack Israel?

Hamas said it launched its attack on Israel on Saturday as a response to Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza and its recent actions in Jerusalem. It accused Israel of violating the rights and dignity of Palestinians in the holy city, especially during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Hamas said it targeted several locations in Israel with rockets and infiltrated its borders with commandos. It claimed to have killed or wounded hundreds of Israelis and captured many more as prisoners of war. It also said it destroyed several Israeli military and civilian facilities, including an oil pipeline, a power plant, and a nuclear reactor.

Israel denied Hamas’ claims and said it intercepted most of the rockets fired by Hamas. It also said it inflicted heavy casualties and damage on Hamas and its allies in Gaza with airstrikes and artillery fire. It said it targeted Hamas’ leaders, operatives, weapons, tunnels, and infrastructure. It also said it foiled several attempts by Hamas to breach its borders with ground troops.

Israel said it acted in self-defense and to restore deterrence against Hamas. It also said it sought to protect its citizens and sovereignty from Hamas’ aggression. It also said it respected the rights and needs of Palestinians in Jerusalem and Gaza, and blamed Hamas for escalating the violence and exploiting the situation.

What is the current situation?

The current situation is tense and volatile, as both sides continue to exchange fire and threats. The international community has expressed concern and called for an immediate end to the hostilities and a return to calm. Several countries have offered to mediate and facilitate a ceasefire, but so far there has been no sign of progress.

The United Nations has warned of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 2 million people live under harsh conditions. It said that many people have been killed or injured and that many more are in need of food, water, medicine, and shelter. It also said that the infrastructure and services in Gaza have been severely damaged or destroyed and that the risk of disease outbreaks is high.

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The United Nations has also urged both sides to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law and to avoid harming civilians and civilian objects. It has also called for the protection of journalists, medical workers, and humanitarian workers who are working in the conflict zone.

The United Nations has also appealed for more funding and access to deliver humanitarian aid to the affected people in Gaza and Israel. It has also stressed the need for a political solution to the underlying causes of the conflict and for a resumption of dialogue and negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Remaining information

• Bohbot’s friends have organized a vigil for him in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night.
• His ice cream shop has been closed since his abduction.
• Elkana Bohbot’s tattoo of a lion is a tribute to his late father, who died of cancer two years ago.
• Elkana’s favorite music genre is trance.
• His favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate.