'Appreciate everything': Evyatar David on Hamas captivity, three years after Oct. 7 - interview

At the Nova Music Festival, Evyatar David found himself surrounded by friends, reveling in a vibrant atmosphere. But at 6:29 am, everything changed. Chaos erupted as people began to perish, screams filled the air, and rockets exploded overhead. David's closest friend, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, and two others were kidnapped, while David himself was separated from his companions.

For 738 days, David remained a captive in Gaza, enduring unimaginable hardships. He was subjected to beatings from both Hamas militants and the locals, some of whom were even children. The terrorist organization openly threatened to kill every Jew in Israel, stating that this was the only way to achieve peace.

During his captivity, David was held in the tunnels beneath Gaza, his condition deteriorating as he was shown in harrowing footage. He was severely undernourished, his ribs protruding, and he was forced to dig a pit in the tunnel, fearing it might be his grave. His captors subjected him to psychological torment, attempting to break his spirit and convince him that no one wanted him back.

The psychological trauma continued even after his release on October 13, 2025. David spoke of the immense grief surrounding the loss of his murdered friends, Ron Zarfati and Idan Haramaty. He emphasized the psychological terrorism inflicted upon the hostages, who were repeatedly told that they were abandoned by their families, the United States, and the government.

Despite the hope that came with the release of other hostages, David remained deeply concerned about the ongoing threats posed by terrorist organizations. He warned that these groups would never stop trying to eliminate Jews in Israel, no matter the method.