Former Gaza Hostages Share Heartfelt Letters with Families

Families of former hostages held in Gaza received emotional letters from their loved ones, written during their captivity. Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, who were released on October 2, 2023, after more than two years in captivity, communicated their longing for home through letters sent via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The letters, reportedly written in late August 2023, expressed the hostages’ desires to reconnect with their families. Gilboa-Dalal’s father, Ilan Dalal, shared with KAN that his son conveyed a wish to be released before his younger sister turns 18 in December. One poignant excerpt from the letter read, “I saw Gal and Eli together in a TV report with our shirts on. I don’t stop thinking about you, and thoughts of you give me strength.”

Gilboa-Dalal’s family noted that the letter’s neat handwriting and coherent phrasing provided them with hope regarding his well-being during captivity. Ohel’s letter similarly conveyed his feelings of longing and resilience, as he described how he was enduring the horrors of his situation.

Context of the Letters

The timing of these letters is significant. They were penned around the time when Israel intensified its military operations in Gaza City. According to Israeli sources, Hamas may have deliberately allowed contact with the ICRC at this juncture to signal the presence of Israeli hostages in areas potentially targeted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). This strategy appears aimed at deterring further military action against the group.

The emotional weight of these letters highlights the personal toll of the ongoing conflict. Families have been anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones, and receiving such direct communication offers a glimmer of hope amid uncertainty.

As the situation in the region remains complex, the release of Gilboa-Dalal and Ohel serves as a reminder of the human stories intertwined with broader political narratives. The letters not only reflect individual experiences of captivity but also underscore the enduring bonds of family and the longing for peace in a region marked by conflict.