Key facts
- Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 25, was held hostage in Gaza for two years after being abducted on Oct. 7, 2023.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal, a 25-year-old Israeli man held hostage in Gaza for two years, has publicly shared his experiences of sexual abuse, aiming to empower other victims. He spoke out ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
The testimony of freed hostages like Guy Gilboa-Dalal brings critical attention to the use of sexual violence as a tactic in conflict, highlighting the profound trauma experienced by victims and the challenges in verifying such abuses within war zones.
An Israeli man, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, who was held hostage in Gaza for two years, has publicly detailed his experiences of sexual abuse during captivity. Gilboa-Dalal, 25, spoke out ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, aiming to empower other victims and challenge the United Nations' findings on the matter.
Gilboa-Dalal described two separate assaults, stating he was naked, blindfolded, threatened with death, and physically overpowered. He expressed frustration with the UN's verification process, asserting his firsthand experience. The UN has reported a global increase in conflict-related sexual violence and has verified incidents in Gaza and the West Bank, though Israel denies allegations against its forces.
At least six other released hostages have also shared accounts of sexual assault. Gilboa-Dalal, abducted during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, was released in February 2025. He is now focused on healing and is writing a book and an anime script about his ordeal, emphasizing that victims are not at fault.