‘I started cursing him in Arabic’: Ex-hostage reveals words to Hamas captor upon release

Rimon Buchshtab-Kirscht, a former hostage, recounted her experiences in captivity to Ynet, including her final words to her Hamas captor upon release in November 2023. Abducted with her husband, Yagev Buchshtab, on October 7, 2023, from Kibbutz Nirim, she described being taunted about him during her transfer to the Red Cross. She stated, "I started cursing him in Arabic, so that everyone would understand." Buchshtab-Kirscht also detailed an encounter with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who she said spoke with her in English and promised to move her and Yagev to tunnels with other hostages after she complained about their treatment. Despite her pleas to remain with her husband, she was released without him. Yagev Buchshtab was later confirmed killed in captivity, and his body was recovered in August 2024.