Israeli Hostage Sagi Dekel Chen Premieres Songs Written During 498 Days in Hamas Captivity
Sagi Dekel Chen, an Israeli who was held captive by Hamas in Gaza for 498 days, performed a deeply moving concert on August 10, 2026, at Kibbutz Nir Oz, the site of the October 7, 2023 massacre where he was abducted. The event, titled "From Captivity to the Grass: Stories and Songs," drew around 3,000 attendees and featured nine original songs he wrote, composed, and memorized during his imprisonment. Dekel Chen was accompanied by a band and guest artists including Idan Raichel, Marina Maximilian, and Hatikva 6, with a recording of Rita also played. The audience included fellow former captives and bereaved families.
During the show, Dekel Chen shared how music helped him survive the ordeal, initially as a calming refuge and later as a mental lifeline. He recounted nightly imagined conversations with his daughters and morning "dates" with music in his mind, dancing alone in his cell. His songs reflect the tension between darkness and hope, mirroring the duality of his home kibbutz, which transformed from a paradise to a scene of horror. Notable collaborations included fellow captive survivor Eitan Horn and singer Shira Ben Shimon.
Dekel Chen’s father, Yonatan Dekel Chen, and other family members were present. His wife, Avital, gave birth to their third child during his captivity. The family endured severe trauma, including the murder of close friends and relatives in Nir Oz during the attack. Dekel Chen was severely wounded before his abduction and suffered harsh conditions underground, including limited sunlight, poor hygiene, and inadequate medical care. He learned Arabic and chess to pass the time and endured intense interrogations.
The concert was part of the Israel Festival and was described by director Itay Mautner as a collective catharsis for the community. The event marked a return of music to Nir Oz beyond memorial ceremonies, symbolizing resilience and hope. Dekel Chen’s story and music highlight the power of art to heal and survive unimaginable hardship.
