Gal Dalal’s Heart-Wrenching Fight to Free His Brother from Hamas Captivity

For Gal Dalal, the past 17 months have been a relentless, heartbreaking journey to secure the freedom of his brother, Guy Gilboa-Dalal. Kidnapped by Hamas during the horrific attack on Israel at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, Guy has since been held captive in Gaza. Gal has made it his mission to ensure the world doesn’t forget his brother and the urgent need to bring him home.

"My brother is the warmest-hearted man I know," Gal shared. "He’s incredibly funny, my best friend, and we’ve always shared the same hobbies—we do everything together." These words paint a vivid picture of Guy, a man who was more than just a face on a poster pleading for his release. Yet, today, the fight for his freedom is more desperate than ever.

Guy was attending his first spiritual music festival alongside friends when tragedy struck. Gal, an experienced festival-goer, had joined his younger brother at the event at around 6:15 a.m., just minutes before the attack began. In a bittersweet memory, Gal recalls Guy excitedly running to hug him and snapping a selfie to share with their mother. Neither of them had any inkling of the nightmare that was about to unfold.

As sirens wailed, Gal suggested the group retreat to his nearby apartment. While Gal left in his car, Guy and his friends stayed behind for a brief moment—a decision that would change their lives forever. Gal recalls being stuck in traffic when gunfire erupted. Forced to run for his life, he was too far away to turn back and save his brother. They spoke one last time on the phone before Guy was taken hostage.

In the attack’s aftermath, the Dalal family learned that Guy and his best friend, Evyatar David, had been kidnapped. A chilling video released by Hamas confirmed their capture. Tragically, the two friends who accompanied them to the festival were killed.

For over a year, Gal and his family have worked tirelessly to bring awareness to Guy’s plight and that of other hostages. "We’re on the edge," Gal admitted. "This fight takes everything out of us. All we want is to see Guy again, to know he’s safe, to hug him, and help him heal. We miss him so much."

Recently, the family received a devastating sign of life. In a Hamas propaganda video, Guy and Evyatar were forced to watch other hostages being freed, only to have the van doors slammed in their faces. Gal described this as "psychological torture" and expressed fears about Guy’s deteriorating condition. "It’s clear they’re being starved," he said grimly, adding that time is running out.

Gal believes international intervention, particularly from the U.S., is critical. He has met with officials from both the Biden and Trump administrations in his quest for support. While he acknowledged efforts on both sides, he felt a stronger sense of urgency from Trump’s team. "The U.S. has the power to pressure Hamas and bring these hostages home," Gal emphasized. "We need that support now more than ever."

The Dalal family’s resilience and determination serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of geopolitical conflict. As the days pass, their hope remains steadfast, but the urgency to act grows stronger. Time, as Gal painfully noted, is a luxury Guy doesn’t have.