Freed Israeli hostage speaks for the first time about his 505 days of surviving Hamas hell

Guy Gilboa-Dalal

Guy Gilboa-Dalal is still being held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists.   (Courtesy: Bring Them Home Now)

The abuse persisted with the arrival of a new guard, who was even more brutal than his predecessors. “He made some of us kneel like dogs and beat us,” he recounts. “He would come in screaming that we were filthy Jews, hit us, and then 10 minutes later, he would smile and bring food.”

Then, in what felt like a miraculous turn of events, Tal and Omer were included in a hostage-release arrangement in February. Upon being led outside after months in confinement underground, still blindfolded, Tal felt moisture on his face. “Is it rain?” he inquired. “No,” came the response from his captors, “it is dew.” It was then that he realized the significance of his name, Tal, which means ‘dew’ in Hebrew. He felt the morning dew on his skin.

Despite enduring further humiliations, such as being forced to repeat Hamas propaganda during a procession on a stage in Rafah, he was undeterred — he was going home. Upon returning to Israel and being taken to the Re’im base, he was reunited with his wife, Adi, and their two children, Nave and Yahel, who were eagerly awaiting his arrival. “It was like a dream, yet it felt too surreal,” Tal recounts. “It took a while for the reality to sink in. It was overwhelming, like I was disconnected from everything around me.”

And there was tragic news to absorb. Eleven members of Tal’s family were kidnapped or murdered on October 7. Adi’s father, Avshalom Haran, and two uncles, Lilach and Evyatar Kipnis, were killed. His mother-in-law, Shoshan Haran, was taken, along with two other relatives — Sharon Avigdori and her daughter, Noam Avigdori — who were later released in the first hostage deal. Two other relatives who had come from the United States to celebrate a birthday, 59-year-old Judith Raanan, and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie, were also kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz.

Tal Shoham reunites with family

Tal Shoham reunites with family, some of whom were also taken captive on Oct. 7. (IDF)

And there was joy. During his captivity, four new babies were born into the family. “Among us, the Jewish hostages, there was purity,” he said. “There was dignity. The terrorists brought in whatever horrors they wanted, inflicted whatever cruelty and pain they could, imposed their inhumanity on us. But within our space, we preserved our inner cleanliness, our humanity between one another. And that was crucial to making it out unbroken.”       

You May Also Like
Missing Connecticut girl found alive 25 years after kidnapping with help from DNA testing

DNA testing aids in locating a girl from Connecticut who was kidnapped 25 years ago as she is found safe.

Connecticut police have located a New Haven girl — now a woman…
Bird flu: Infections in cats linked to raw pet food, New York health officials say

Bird flu spreads to cats through raw pet food, according to New York health officials

NEW YORK — The New York City Health Department has released some…
Female Georgia dentist from wealthy coastal enclave accused of killing boyfriend

Wealthy female dentist from Georgia’s affluent coastal community accused of boyfriend’s murder

In Gainesville, a suburban town northeast of Atlanta, a dentist who practices…
Terror group shares sick cryptic video after Trump vowed to unleash hell on them

“Terror group releases disturbing mysterious video following Trump’s threat of strong retaliation”

Houthi rebels in Yemen have shared an offensive animation depicting American flags…
'Last Days of Gene Hackman': Watch ABC News special Tuesday night

Don’t Miss ABC News Special on Tuesday Night: ‘The Final Days of Gene Hackman’

In Los Angeles, a new special on ABC News Studios will delve…
Husband is found soaked in blood after 'beating wife to death' and dumping her dogs on Texas highway

Man discovered covered in blood after allegedly killing wife and abandoning her dogs on Texas highway

A man from Texas who is accused of using a clothing iron…
‘The White Lotus’ Star Michelle Monaghan Says Jackie Starts to “Devolve” in Club Scene: “There’s a Little Self-Sabotage There”

Michelle Monaghan from ‘The White Lotus’ Reveals Jackie’s Decline in Club Scene: “She Begins to Unravel with Some Self-Destructive Behavior”

Episode 5 of Season 3 of “The White Lotus” titled “Full-Moon Party”…
Who Do Fans Think Will Die In ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3? The Biggest Fan Theories

Predictions on Which Characters Might Meet Their Demise in Season 3 of ‘The White Lotus’ – Popular Fan Theories

As The White Lotus Season 3 ramps up towards its season finale,…
Iran official exposes Tehran's global assassination program as US trial of alleged regime hitmen continues

Iranian official reveals Tehran’s worldwide assassination program during ongoing US trial of accused regime assassins

The federal trial in Manhattan of two alleged contract killers reportedly hired…
PepsiCo buys prebiotic soda brand Poppi to gain a foothold in functional drinks

PepsiCo acquires Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, to enter the functional drinks market

PepsiCo said Monday it’s acquiring the prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95…
Missing American in Dominican Republic: Key witness asks court to end de facto house arrest

An American is missing in the Dominican Republic: a crucial witness requests the court to lift the unofficial home detention.

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — Attorneys for Iowa 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, the…
White Lotus producer defends incest kiss after claims show went 'too far'

White Lotus creator justifies kissing scene involving incest amid criticisms of pushing boundaries.

David Bernad, the producer of White Lotus, has come forward to address…