On the morning of October 7th, 2023, we woke up to sirens in Rehovot. Our city is just 15 miles from Tel Aviv. Rockets were falling fast. We were under attack.
Soon, horrific reports came in. Hamas terrorists had stormed Israeli communities near Gaza. They live-streamed brutal massacres. It was unthinkable.
My son, Nimrod Cohen, was near Gaza. Just 19 and serving as a tank gunner in the IDF. I hadn't heard from him. I frantically searched social media.
Then I saw it. A YouTube video showed terrorists surrounding a burning tank. Nimrod was dragged away by a gunman. He looked helpless.
That day, 1,200 people were killed. Tortured, raped, slaughtered. 247 were taken hostage. Nimrod, now 20, is still one of the 59 held in Gaza.
The three other soldiers with him—Cpt. Omer Neutra, Sgt. Shaked Dahan, and Sgt. Oz Daniel—were killed. Nimrod survived. Alone.
For 18 months, we’ve lived in anguish. We’ve traveled the world, begging for help. Forty-one hostages have died. Seven were rescued. 147 released through a painful ceasefire deal.
President Trump and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff helped make that deal happen. Two freed hostages confirmed Nimrod is alive. But he’s shackled. Tortured. Trapped in a cage. His health is fading.
Still, he had a message for us. “I’m okay. Don’t worry about me. I love you.” That’s Nimrod. Always thinking of us.
In Judaism, one life is a universe. Israel lives by this. No one left behind. When the ceasefire fell apart last month, we were crushed. Nimrod is still in danger.
America has always led the free world. I beg the Trump administration—don’t stop. Push harder. For Nimrod. For Israel. For freedom.
Years ago, Nimrod stood next to Trump’s wax figure in London. We took a photo. I pray I can take another one soon—with the real man who can bring him home.