Soldier's father: We lived in hope we would see sons
Father of Adi Avitan, kidnapped by Hizbullah in 2000, says following broadcast of first part of film on captives that 'fact children were killed in explosion makes entire story much more serious.' After commotion caused by film he says, 'all we wish to do is hug those who hugged us and return to routine'
The families of the three soldiers who were kidnapped and murdered – Adi Avitan, Omar Souad and Benny Avraham – waited in anticipation along with the rest of the public in Israel to watch the film, which documents the kidnapping operation and shows kidnapped navigator Ron Arad talking to the camera for the first time.
The families, whose lives changed at once on the day of the kidnapping, found it very difficult to watch the tape on Tuesday.
Tzipora and Yaakov Avitan watched the film together with the rest of the soldiers' family members.
"The images were difficult," they said later. "We saw a jeep (of the patrol force) ascending to point 590 near the fence, examining the area and turning back, and then a huge explosion occurred. Later you see the gate where the Hizbullah members arrive at and bomb the gate, shooting at all directions."
"In none of the images can one tell who is who. We did not see really see Adi," they said.
Yaakov Avitan did not spare his criticism of Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
"The movie reveals that the children were killed in the explosion, and this fact makes the entire story much more serious," he said. "It is important for the whole world to know that Nasrallah traded with the bodies of soldiers for so long, and without blinking make us understand that they are alive. We lived in hope that one day we would see them. This man is despicable and a real villain."
Soldiers' fathers watch film (Photo: Eli Elgarat)
Referring to the United Nation's part in the kidnapping affair and the negotiations which followed, Avitan said: "It is obvious that the UN knew about the tape and did not bother to update us. We criticized them and protested across the world. We know exactly who they are."
Alongside the heavy criticism against the UN and Hizbullah, Avitan also turned against Israeli elements, who criticized the IDF's activity near the fence on the day of the kidnapping.
"This tape proves to all the slanderers, who after the kidnapping made up lies about Adi and his friends, that they carried out the mission as required," he said.
"The tape we watched today was the last part of the puzzle for us, a closure. Now we don’t want to haunt anyone anymore. All we wish is to hug those who hugged us and return to routine, while continuing to commemorate Adi and trying to fill the house with the laughter of children," Yaakov Avitan concluded.
