Ilay David is sounding the alarm about his brother, Evyatar, a Hamas hostage with a passion for music and aspirations of working in the music industry.
In a recent interview with Digital, Ilay expressed his fear that time is running out for his brother and all the hostages.
“We used to play music together every week, and I miss that the most,” Ilay told Digital. Since October 7, 2023, he has been tirelessly advocating for Evyatar’s release, describing him as “the kindest soul I know.”
Evyatar was attending the Nova music festival with three friends on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its attacks. Tragically, two of Evyatar’s friends were killed, while he and his best friend, , were taken hostage.
Like many families of hostages, Evyatar’s family has created a website dedicated to sharing his story and emphasizing the importance of securing his release. The website expresses their sorrow over how his “vibrant life” has been drastically altered and features .
In February, the David family received a sign of life, which Ilay described as “shocking, amazing, and frightening.” Evyatar and Guy were forced to participate in a Hamas propaganda video, a tactic the terror group has used throughout the conflict. In the video, the two men, appearing frail and exhausted, plead for their lives while being forced to watch a hostage release ceremony in Gaza.
“When the video ended, I could finally breathe,” Ilay told Digital, recalling his initial reaction. “I saw they were alive and together.”
However, Ilay’s relief quickly faded upon watching the video a second time.
“I saw how starved they are. They are shadows of their former selves. Their eyes reveal exhaustion, and they are begging for their lives,” Ilay told Digital. “They are broken men, both of them.”
“They were shown freedom, only to have it snatched away and be thrown back into the tunnels. That’s pure cruelty.”
Ilay’s concerns for his brother have intensified since former hostages who were held with Evyatar shared details about their captivity conditions. He told Digital that these former hostages reported that Evyatar and Guy have spent most of their time underground in tunnels, only seeing sunlight when taken to the ceremony. Like most hostages, Evyatar and Guy receive minimal food and limited water.
“It’s only a matter of time before a terrorist, out of anger or frustration, decides to execute Evyatar or Guy. I don’t want to even contemplate it, but it has already happened,” Ilay told Digital, likely referring to the six hostages who were fatally shot in late August 2024, shortly before could reach them.
Ilay told Digital that he has done everything he can to share his brother’s story and raise awareness, including traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with American lawmakers. He believes President has a “very big role” to play in securing the release of Evyatar and the remaining hostages.
“[Trump], believe it or not, may be divinely sent to save these people,” Ilay said, referencing the release of 33 hostages during the recent ceasefire deal and arguing that without Trump, those individuals would still be held in Gaza.
Ilay told Digital that, in his view, the horrors of October 7th continue for those held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
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