A former Israeli hostage has delivered one of the most harrowing accounts yet of life inside Hamas captivity, describing alleged sexual abuse, humiliation and psychological torment during nearly two years of detention in Gaza.

Guy Gilboa-Dalal, who was kidnapped during the October 7, 2023 attack on the Nova music festival and later released in a hostage deal, has now publicly shared details of experiences he says remained hidden for months after his return home. His testimony is drawing international attention not only because of the severity of the allegations, but because it sheds light on a subject many former hostages have struggled to discuss publicly.

In an emotional interview, Gilboa-Dalal recounted a terrifying encounter with a captor who allegedly blindfolded him, forced him to undress and subjected him to sexual abuse while threatening him into silence. He described feeling powerless, isolated and convinced that resistance could cost him his life. According to his account, the abuse occurred after months of harsh captivity conditions that already included hunger, fear and constant uncertainty.

What makes his story particularly significant is his decision to speak openly about an issue that remains heavily stigmatized, especially among male survivors. Gilboa-Dalal said he chose to break his silence in the hope that other victims would understand they are not alone. His remarks come amid growing documentation of alleged sexual violence involving hostages held during the conflict.

The former hostage also described the psychological aftermath of captivity, explaining that some memories remained too painful to discuss immediately after his release. Like many survivors of prolonged detention, he has spoken about the difficulty of rebuilding a normal life while processing trauma that unfolded behind closed doors and far from public view.

His testimony arrives as international organizations, researchers and advocacy groups continue examining allegations of sexual violence connected to the conflict. Various reports and survivor accounts have documented claims of abuse, though investigations remain complicated by limited access to evidence, the passage of time and the challenges inherent in conflict zones.

Yet one detail from Gilboa-Dalal’s account has generated particular attention.

According to people familiar with discussions surrounding former hostages, some survivors reportedly withheld portions of their experiences for months out of fear, shame or concern that they would not be believed. While Gilboa-Dalal has now chosen to speak publicly, observers note that many questions remain unanswered regarding how much of what occurred in captivity may never be fully documented.

No public investigation has suggested the existence of undisclosed evidence that would dramatically alter the known facts of his case. However, the growing number of testimonies emerging from former captives continues to paint an increasingly complex picture of what hostages endured during their time in Gaza.

For Gilboa-Dalal, the decision to speak appears rooted less in politics than in survival. By sharing his story, he says he hopes other victims will find the courage to come forward.

But as more former hostages begin revealing experiences they once kept hidden, another question is quietly emerging: how many stories remain untold—not because they never happened, but because the people who lived through them are still not ready to speak?