'Captivity comes back to you': Gilboa-Dalal reveals psychological toll three years after Oct 7

Former Gaza hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal has opened up about the psychological scars he endured after three years in Hamas captivity, three years to the day after the October 7 massacre. Gilboa-Dalal, who was abducted during a festival on October 7, 2023, spent over two years in captivity, enduring harsh conditions, starvation, and sexual abuse.

Upon his return to Israel in October 2025, Gilboa-Dalal noted the stark contrast between his perceived perfect life before captivity and the reality of his rehabilitation process upon returning home. He explained that the trauma of captivity resurfaced in the form of nightmares and night terrors, vividly replaying the horrors he experienced at the hands of a single captor.

Gilboa-Dalal described the relentless torment of these nightmares, stating that they felt as if the captivity were returning to him. He also recounted the torment of thoughts like, "Is this my fault? Did I do something wrong?" shared by many who undergo such trauma. He emphasized that many people who endure such experiences often struggle with these intrusive thoughts and often refrain from discussing them.

In addition to the psychological trauma, Gilboa-Dalal faced threats from his captor, who attempted to silence him. The captor warned that if Gilboa-Dalal spoke about his experiences, he would uncover everything, given the constant surveillance he faced. This fear prevented Gilboa-Dalal from openly sharing his ordeal with friends and family during his captivity.

However, he did confide in his friend Tal, sharing the details of his abuse in broad terms, knowing that Tal was on his way home and would relay the information to his family if necessary. Gilboa-Dalal was released after 738 days in Hamas captivity.