Former Hamas hostage’s mom says daughter was forced to fake her death for a propaganda video

The Horrifying Ordeal of Daniella Gilboa: A Hostage of Hamas

Daniella Gilboa, a former Hamas hostage, endured a harrowing experience during her captivity. Her mother, Orly Gilboa, revealed in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 that Daniella was forced to participate in a propaganda video, where she was made to appear dead. According to Orly, one of the captors approached Daniella with a camera and instructed her to feign her death, telling her, “Daniella, today we’re going to film you dead.” Daniella, understandably terrified, pleaded for her life and begged not to be forced into the charade. To create the illusion of her death, her captors covered her body in debris and powder, making it seem as though she had been killed in an Israeli airstrike.

This disturbing revelation came to light after Hamas released the propaganda video in November 2024, falsely claiming that Daniella had been killed in an Israeli airstrike. However, the truth was far from what Hamas presented. Daniella was alive and remained in captivity until her release on January 25, 2025, alongside three other hostages: Liri Albag, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) condemned Hamas for the video, stating that the terrorist group was engaging in psychological terror and acting with extreme brutality.

The Broader Context of Hamas’s Hostage Strategy and Psychological Warfare

Daniella Gilboa’s ordeal was not an isolated incident. Hamas has employed similar tactics with other hostages, subjecting them to immense psychological distress. For instance, Yarden Bibas, another hostage kidnapped during the October 7, 2023, attacks, was shown in a Hamas video released in November 2023. In the video, Bibas is seen breaking down emotionally as he is falsely informed that his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, had been killed. The fate of Bibas’s family remains unknown, leaving their loved ones in a state of unbearable uncertainty.

The plight of Gilboa, Albag, Levy, and Ariev began on October 7, 2023, when they were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during a brutal assault on an IDF base in southern Israel. Agam Berger, another female soldier taken hostage along with them, was held for an additional week before being released on January 30, 2025. During her captivity, Gilboa was shot in the leg, but her wound was left untreated, adding to her suffering.

The Physical and Emotional Toll on Hostages

The physical and emotional condition of the hostages upon their release has shocked the nation. In an exclusive interview with Ynet, Ran Gilboa, Daniella’s father, described his daughter as “a hero who returned from hell,” highlighting the unimaginable horrors she endured. Ran also shared that for two days following Daniella’s kidnapping, their family was left in the dark, unsure whether she was alive or dead.

The plight of other hostages has also come to light, with three men—Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami—being released in a visibly emaciated state. Their condition has sparked widespread outrage, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing that their treatment would not be ignored. Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the men’s appearance as a visual representation of a “crime against humanity,” underscoring the barbarity of Hamas’s actions.

The Role of the Israeli Government and International Pressure

In response to the ongoing hostage crisis, the Israeli government has taken a firm stance, with the security cabinet backing a deadline set by former U.S. President Donald Trump for Hamas to release all remaining hostages by Saturday, February 15, at 12 p.m. Trump emphasized that if Hamas failed to meet this deadline, Israel should cancel the ceasefire and resume intense military operations until Hamas was decisively defeated.

Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, stating that Israel would not hesitate to act if the hostages were not released by the specified deadline. The situation remains tense, with Hamas threatening to halt hostage releases if its demands are not met. Despite this, on Thursday, Hamas announced that it would free three more hostages as part of its original plan, according to the Associated Press.

A Glimmer of Hope Amidst the Crisis

While the situation remains grim, the release of hostages like Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev has brought a glimmer of hope to their families and the nation. The resilience and strength of these individuals, who have endured unimaginable suffering, serve as a testament to the human spirit’s ability to persevere in the face of adversity.

However, the fight for justice and the safe return of all hostages is far from over. The international community must continue to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages and hold the organization accountable for its heinous actions. As the deadline set by President Trump approaches, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this devastating crisis.

In the words of Daniella’s father, Ran Gilboa, his daughter is a “hero who returned from hell.” Her story, and the stories of other hostages, must not be forgotten. Their courage and resilience remind us of the importance of standing against terrorism and fighting for the freedom and dignity of all individuals caught in the crossfire of conflict.