Hamas Captive Survivor Describes Sexual Abuse in Gaza and Criticizes UN Report

In a personal conversation with Israel’s First Lady Michal Herzog ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, former hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal described severe abuse he says he suffered in Hamas captivity in Gaza. He said he endured more than two years of hardship, including sexual assaults, and kept silent for a long time out of fear of his captors.

Gilboa-Dalal recounted arriving at the Nova music festival with his friends and brother on October 7, then being abducted to the Gaza Strip after Hamas’s attack. He said he learned only months later that his brother had survived and returned home. Describing the abuse, he said, “I thought a lot about whether to resist, but I couldn’t do anything. I was too weak,” and said a gun was once pressed to his head with the threat, “If you tell anyone about this, I will kill you.” He added, “I was too scared to talk about it with anyone. Not only was I sexually assaulted, I also couldn’t tell anyone about it. And I didn’t think it would happen again.” He said the same captor sexually abused him again two days later, adding, “Every second felt like a whole life.”

The conversation also addressed a recent UN report that said some claims about sexual violence against Israeli hostages could not be verified. Gilboa-Dalal rejected that assessment, saying it ignored the testimony of people who experienced the events firsthand. He said he decided to speak publicly as a mission, to strengthen other victims and remind them they are not alone and that the responsibility always lies with the perpetrator, not the victim.

Herzog thanked him for his willingness to speak, saying it took great courage to reveal such painful experiences. She said the world must hear the truth and praised his decision to share his story. Gilboa-Dalal also said that since returning to Israel he has been spending time with family and friends, writing, and speaking in Israel and abroad about his captivity and the fight against antisemitism.