Released hostage Omer Shem Tov spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and recounted his experience in Hamas captivity, saying that the terror group would broadcast to hostages streams of Israeli society being divided "in the most extreme way possible," KAN News reported on Tuesday.
Shem Tov added that the Israeli division is what would "strengthen them [Hamas] significantly."
Shem Tov also explained that when he was in captivity, terrorists would talk to him about "how Israel will destroy itself from within."
"That is what gives them strength," he added.
Shem Tov was held hostage in Gaza before being released recently after 505 days of captivity during the latest Gaza deal.
Shem Tov's experience in captivity
Earlier in the month, Shem Tov spoke about his experience in captivity at a rally in Herzliya.
He recounted a story of desperation from his time in captivity when he was "on the verge of complete despair."
"On the 50th day, when I was on the verge of complete despair, after five days in total darkness, when all I had left to eat was one biscuit a day with a little salty water to drink, I screamed to God to get me out of there because I couldn't take it anymore," Shem Tov told the crowd.
"Five minutes later, my captor came and told me I was being moved to another place," he explained.
Since his release, Shem Tov has said his main priority is advocating for the remaining hostages.
"I know what they're feeling, and I understand how urgent it is to get them out of the hell they're in," he said.
"Every day there, it's unclear if you'll remain alive or die from hunger or physical and mental abuse. We must get everyone out of there – the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for burial," he continued.
"For over a year, I was alone, and I'm now learning to adjust to a new, unfamiliar life," he said. "Blessed is He who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this time," he said in front of the Herzliyah crowd.
