Sigi Cohen, the mother of Eliya, who survived captivity in Gaza, said in a statement from Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva that her son "became strong and strengthened others" in captivity. According to her: "We heard about many miracles and divine providence that Eliya and his friends experienced there. All these feelings go to all 63 families of the kidnapped who are still there. They must all return home immediately before it is too late."

