By Staci Schefka
On October 7, 2023, the world was shocked by the news that Hamas had orchestrated a surprise attack on the nation of Israel. In one day, over a thousand were killed, and another 250 were abducted and taken to Gaza. What these hostages have endured can only be described as horrific.
During her 477 days in captivity, Daniella Gilboa, a 20-year-old Israeli soldier, was confined to underground tunnels with little access to daylight, fresh air, or basic necessities. Yarden Bibas, a 35-year-old welder held for 484 days, was subjected to severe physical abuse, like being kept in a cage and repeatedly beaten. He was also psychologically tormented with false reports that his wife and children had been killed. These are only a fraction of their stories.
Today there are still unreleased hostages, but those who have been rescued or released often share what sustained them all those terrifying months: hope. The hope that
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1. “Freed Israeli Hostages: What They Endured in Captivity and How They Survived,” AJC, Mar. 5, 2025.
Personal interview.
Ibid.
Staci Schefka is a contributing editor for Last Generation magazine. She has a BA in communications and enjoys teaching community health classes. She is also the registrar and marketing director for Hydrotherapy Hub
(hydrotherapyhub.com), a virtual education and networking platform providing resources and instruction in simple hydrotherapy modalities.