Former hostage Evyatar David spoke out for the first time since returning home, discussing his complicated rehabilitation process in a social media post on Thursday.
David was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, together with his childhood best friend, Guy Gilboa-Dalal. He was held hostage by Hamas until October 13, 2025.
During that time, Hamas released propaganda videos of David, one of which showed him and Gilboa-Dalal forced to witness a staged release ceremony for other captives in February 2025, only to be left behind. The second, released in August 2025, showed David gaunt and pale, emaciated and digging his own grave, shocking the nation.
David says thoughts of family, friends got him through captivity
In his social media post, David wrote about how he survived in Hamas captivity one day at a time after his abduction.
“I was kidnapped, taken into a dark tunnel, and all I could think about was surviving one more day. And then another day. Until I returned home,” he wrote.
“In the moments when I almost broke, what kept me going were thoughts of my parents, my family, my friends, and the hope that no one would give up on me.”
David also expressed appreciation for the love he received upon returning to the public, saying that “the people of Israel reminded me that there is also good in the world.”
However, David wrote that his road to recovery has not been simple or straightforward.
“I am coping with PTSD and flashbacks. There are moments when I am in a safe place, surrounded by people I love, but my mind still goes back there,” he said.
“I understood that surviving captivity is one thing. Truly recovering is another battle entirely,” he added.
David said he isn’t looking for pity, nor is he giving up on his dream of recovery. He still wishes to get married, start a family and “truly return to life.”
In order to aid his efforts in doing so, his friends and family have launched a crowdfunding campaign on David’s behalf.
“If you are able to help by donating or sharing, I would be deeply grateful. And again, thank you for fighting for me,” David said.
Evyatar David's crowdfunding campaign can be found here: https://yad.reachhands.com/evyatardrth