Former Hamas Captive Shagai Dekel Chen Debuts Songs Written in Captivity at Nir Oz Festival

Shagai Dekel Chen performed at the Nir Oz kibbutz lawns on Monday evening as part of the Israel Festival, marking nearly a year and a half since his release from Hamas captivity. Opening his set with a cover of Yigal Bashan's song "Shamayim" (Skies), Dekel Chen then presented nine original songs he wrote and composed during his imprisonment. He shared with the audience that his dreams while captive were intense and varied, ranging from cruel nightmares to pleasant dreams that were hardest to wake from. "I did not wake up as an Olympic medalist or rich as Korach; I woke up simply here," he reflected.

The event drew approximately 3,000 attendees, including fellow former captives and bereaved families. All proceeds from the concert are designated to support widows and orphans of the war. The performance underscored the ongoing impact of captivity and conflict on Israeli society, with related discussions on the legacy of the October 7 attacks continuing in the public sphere.