Sapir Cohen Says Hagomel At Kotel After Describing Her Ordeal In Hamas Captivity

JERUSALEM (VINnews) —Sapir Cohen, Yelena Trupanov and Yelena’s mother Irena Tati, who were freed from Hamas captivity during the recent hostage release deal, arrived at the Western Wall on Tuesday evening to recite prayers of thanksgiving.

Sapir, the girlfriend of Yelena’s son Sasha who is still in captivity, said the Hagomel prayer and the three women recited Mizmor LeTodah on the miracle of their release. They also sang Acheinu as a prayer for those still in captivity. Yelena’s husband Vitaly was murdered by Hamas on Oct. 7th

ספיר כהן ששוחררה מהשבי אומרת הגומל בכותל pic.twitter.com/rydUi5krGB

— ינון מגל (@YinonMagal) December 19, 2023

3 החטופות ששוחררו ספיר כהן מקרית אתא, ילנה טורפנוב ואירנה טאטי, הגיעו הלילה לכותל ואמרו מזמור לתודה.

מקור: טלגרם עמית סגל pic.twitter.com/ELB3F1efXs

— חרדים10 (@charedim10) December 19, 2023

Sapir spoke at a Chanukah event and described her ordeal at the hands of the Hamas terrorists. She said that even before October 7th she had a sense of foreboding for months and even underwent significant medical tests. In the end a rabbi told her to say a Tehillim (referring to war and Israel’s enemies) for a month…which ended on October 7th.

She added that on that date, after she was found hiding inside a carpet, she was placed on a motorcycle between two terrorists and taken to Gaza, where people “threw cigarettes and sticks at me.” She tried to protect herself from their blows with her hands while the terrorists covered her head with a shirt and brought her to a house which was later bombed by the IDF. She was taken into the tunnels, where she said she saw many hostages in poor condition, suffering both from health issues and from untreated wounds from the Hamas attack.

Fortunately Sapir established a rapport with the terrorists. At some point, one of them drew a memorial candle and placed her name underneath. When she complained, he said that “You are my enemy, I cannot love you, but despite this there is light in the room when you are here.”

“10 מחבלי חמאס גלגלו אותי מהשמיכה”: ספיר כהן בקבלת פנים לאחר ששוחררה משבי החמאס // צילום: יח”צ pic.twitter.com/Ze7Rw4VWSG

— ישראל היום (@IsraelHayomHeb) December 13, 2023

Sapir’s homecoming from captivity.

Sapir, Yelena and Irena were released during the prisoner exchanges prior to Chanukah.