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'Still with me': Evyatar David recalls captivity, being forced to dig his grave in first interview

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Evyatar David, a former hostage held by Hamas, recounted his kidnapping and captivity in an interview.
  • He described being abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and held until October 13, 2025, detailing harsh conditions and arguments over scarce food and water.
  • David also spoke about being filmed for a Hamas propaganda video, noting that extreme starvation began months before the filming.

The "thin, young man" digging his own grave in a Hamas propaganda video is still a part of who he is, former hostage Evyatar David said in a Channel 12 interview.

David, along with childhood best friend Guy Gilboa-Dalal, recounted their abduction by Hamas from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. They were held hostage until October 13, 2025. Two friends, Captain Ron Tzarfati and Idan Haramaty, were killed at the festival.

The “thin, young man” in captivity digging his grave is still a part of who he is.

— Evyatar DavidRecalling his experience as a hostage and his appearance in a Hamas propaganda video.

David described the initial moments of the attack, with gunfire erupting during what had been an "incredible party." He recalled running instinctively, seeing his friends Tzarfati, Haramaty, and Gilboa-Dalal, and wondering why they weren't fleeing. The sounds of gunfire and then silence marked the beginning of the ordeal.

Until 6:29 a.m., it was an incredible party. Then intense gunfire began right next to us, and my legs simply took over and started running.

— Evyatar DavidDescribing the start of the Hamas attack at the Nova music festival.

Reunited in captivity, David and Gilboa-Dalal found solace in being together. "At least we are in captivity together," David said, acknowledging their shared fate. They were taken to an apartment in Gaza, where for two weeks, their captors prohibited them from speaking or looking at each other. David expressed his deep desire to simply see that Gilboa-Dalal was alright.

Conditions in captivity were dire, with minimal food and water, leading to arguments between the friends over rationing. "It was pure rage, the kind where everything goes black," David said, recalling their intense disputes. He humorously added that he still believed Gilboa-Dalal used too much water, referencing a past agreement to "agree to disagree."

The only thing you can hear is your own breathing.

— Evyatar DavidRecounting the terrifying sounds during the attack.

David also detailed the extreme starvation that intensified in the months leading up to Hamas filming a propaganda video of him digging his own grave. The interview highlighted the psychological and physical toll of his captivity.

At least we are in captivity together.

— Evyatar DavidExpressing solace upon being reunited with his friend Guy Gilboa-Dalal in captivity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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