On Saturday we once again witnessed the joyous yet painful return of hostages in Gaza to their families in Israel.
We knew our brothers, held by Hamas since Oct. 7, would not be released as part of the current phase of the deal, but we shared those six families’ elation alongside our own anguish.
So imagine our horror later that day as a new Hamas propaganda video appeared on our phones.
In it, we saw our baby brothers, Guy and Evyatar, seated in a van, cruelly told by their captors that they were about to be freed as well.
It was the first time in months they had seen sunlight.
They were then forced to witness their fellow hostages being released — only to have the door slammed shut in their faces.
Another brutal reminder of the inhumanity they endure every single day.
It was also the first time we, their loving families, had seen them since they appeared in horrific footage from Oct. 7 — the first sign of life from our brothers in over 500 days.
Ever since then, our brothers, Guy Gilboa Dalal and Evyatar David, have been held captive by Hamas. Over 500 days of stolen time, of unimaginable suffering, of separation from the lives they were meant to live.
They are our baby brothers, and we refuse to let the world look away.
This video, sickening as it is, also carried a truth that fuels our fight: They are alive. Guy is alive. Evyatar is alive.
But they are running out of time. The images of their frail bodies, their exhausted gaze, their clear desperation, tell us what we already know — this cannot continue.
Guy and Evyatar are more than hostages. They are people with dreams, with talents, with families who love them beyond words.
Our brothers have been best friends since they were 18 months old. Music has been the heartbeat of their friendship since childhood.
Evyatar is a talented guitarist whose warm voice fills any room. His sensitivity gives him a remarkable ability to see and understand others.
Every Friday night, melodies from his guitar and our piano would intertwine in perfect harmony as he played for hours alongside his family.
Guy is passionate about music and fascinated with Japanese culture. He dreamed of visiting Japan to witness the cherry blossoms in bloom.
He is kind, responsible and deeply devoted to his family, always taking care of his parents and his sister Gaya.
Guy and Evyatar were attending the Nova Music Festival when the massacre began.
They ran for their lives. They hid. They watched their friends die.
They were taken, and a part of us was taken with them. Every day since has been a battle to bring them home.
They are locked away in the dark tunnels of Gaza, cut off from the world and from everything they love.
Hamas continues to use them as pawns, torturing, abusing, starving them; denying them air, sunlight, water and freedom.
And yet, they endure. They hold on. But for how much longer?
We cannot accept a world where 63 hostages, including our brothers, are left behind.
When we hear about “phases” that could leave young men like Evyatar and Guy for last, our hearts break.
They say “humanitarian phase,” but every hostage is a humanitarian emergency. These are not puzzle pieces to be sorted and separated.
Every name must be remembered, every life valued. And every remaining hostage must be released — every single one.
Until that happens, we will not stop raising our voices for our baby brothers.
On Saturday, we first saw that wrenching video while attending the CPAC conference with other families of hostages and released hostages.
President Trump was delivering his powerful speech as it hit our phones.
In just weeks since taking office, the president has accomplished what seemed impossible — bringing dozens of hostages home alive and securing the first phase of the cease-fire deal.
His efforts have reunited broken families, and for this, our entire nation holds profound gratitude.
President Trump, your consistent calls for the release of all hostages have given us hope. We believe you can finish this mission — bringing those still alive back to their loved ones, and allowing those we have lost to receive the dignified burial they deserve.
Evyatar and Guy: We will never give up. We will fight until the day we see you walk free, until the day our families are whole again.
Hold on. You are coming home.
Gal Gilboa Dalal is the brother of Guy Gilboa Dalal. Ilay David is the brother of Evyatar David.
