Israel – Haaretz, July 09, 2025
Shoham, who endured 505 days in Gaza captivity, told Channel 12 about the abuse fellow hostages, Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David, who remain in Gaza. ‘If I thought I had suffered from malnutrition and harsh conditions – their story was horrifying,’ he said, noting the abuse worsened whenever negotiations stalled
Released hostage Tal Shoham gave his first interview to Israeli television on Tuesday night on Channel 12 News, recounting his 505 days in Hamas captivity. Shoham said he chose to speak now because “this is the final stretch before a deal, and every effort must be made to help those still there.”
Shoham revealed that during the first month of his abduction, he had no idea whether his family had survived the October 7 attack. Believing they may have been killed, he held a symbolic burial ceremony for them when his captors weren’t watching.
Later, he received a letter in English from his wife, Adi, informing him that she, their children, her aunt, and cousin had also been kidnapped – but would soon be released in a prisoner deal in November 2023. “I just broke down crying for half an hour, all the tears that had been stuck inside. But it was from joy,” he recalled.
