Hostages

Within days of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack against southern Israel, families of at least 341 missing Israelis, some kidnapped to Gaza and others whose fates remain unknown, began demanding the return of their loved ones. These families came from diverse political and socio-economic backgrounds, united only by the shared tragedy that brought them together.

Determined to make their voices heard, they took to the streets, and within a day, thousands of protesters joined them. What began as a small movement quickly grew into a social phenomenon, where strangers across the nation felt as if their own family members had been kidnapped. They demonstrate daily, in the rain and under the hot sun, for almost a year now, and they have sworn to continue until the last hostage is back home.

For Adar Eyal, capturing the recent events is not just another project, it is the documentation of a pivotal moment, a time when an entire nation is undergoing a profound transformation. It became a personal mission for Adar. Feeling a deep responsibility to document these historical events, he resigned from his job, put aside his “normal life,” and now spends most of his time on the streets, always close to the next potential frame.

During these 11 months, Adar came to know dozens of new people, all of them involved in some way or another in this social phenomenon. Almost like a new family,  he talks with the hostage’s family members almost every day, getting to know their personalities, occupations, hobbies, and likes and dislikes in life. It is this trust that allows Adar a better proximity to events like these.

According to Adar, “There are no ‘good’ stories here”. He shot thousands of photos over 11 months. Not even one photo shows someone smiling. There is a lot of sadness, frustration, fear, anger, and helplessness. “Putting aside the tragedy for a moment, from a photographic point of view, it’s a fruitful ground for capturing these emotions.”

Adar plans to continue this project until the last hostage is back home. A friend once asked Adar if he missed photographing flowers and nature. To Adar, even if that day comes, his pictures will never be the same.

Adar Eyal

Adar Eyal is an experienced photographer with over 25 years of expertise in street and documentary photography, specializing in high-risk environments. His documentary work includes photographing the aftermath of the events of October 7th in southern Israel, often under fire with IDF protection. He is renowned for capturing compelling images featured in local and international media, exhibitions, and awarded on various platforms. Eyal is committed to using photography as a powerful tool for raising awareness and supporting advocacy efforts, particularly in raising awareness about humanitarian topics.