Former Israeli hostage reports sexual abuse during captivity in Gaza

Guy Gilboa-Dalal, a 24-year-old former Israeli hostage, has publicly alleged that he was subjected to sexual abuse, torture, and degrading treatment while held captive by Hamas. Dalal was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and held for 739 days in Gaza. In a televised interview with Israel's First Lady, Michal Herzog, he detailed an incident where a guard held him at knife-point, forced him to undress, and coerced him into sexual acts. Dalal reported that his captor made sexually suggestive comments and later threatened him with death if he disclosed the incident. He further testified that the guard held a knife to his throat and a gun to his head during his confinement. This testimony follows the release of a UN Secretary-General report on sexual violence in conflict, which stated that claims of sexual abuse by Israeli hostages could not be verified with existing evidence. Dalal's account serves as a specific, personal allegation against his captors.